Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Choice
For additional information, please contact the WGES Customer Care Center at 1-888-884-WGES.
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What is natural gas deregulation?
With natural gas deregulation, customers can buy gas from suppliers other than the traditional utility company. WGES is considered a supplier of natural gas, and we can take advantage of market opportunities that are not available to the regulated traditional utility company. These opportunities enable WGES to create innovative gas offerings such as 12-month contracts with fixed gas rates, wholesale gas pricing and the flat-payment Blanket Bill. Customers can benefit from these offerings in terms of savings and price stability. Should you choose WGES as your natural gas supplier, your local utility company in all cases will still maintain distribution channels that deliver gas to your home.
Who is WGES and how much experience does WGES have as an energy supplier?
Washington Gas Energy Services (WGES) is a subsidiary of WGL Holdings, and an affiliate of Washington Gas, a company that has served the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area for over 150 years. WGES was created in 1996 to provide customers with deregulated energy supplies. With annual revenues of over $100 million, WGES is the largest supplier of deregulated energy in the D.C. metro area and supplies natural gas and electricity to more than 350,000 commercial and residential customers in the Baltimore-D.C. area.
Will I continue to receive one gas bill if I choose WGES as my gas supplier?
YES! You will continue to receive one bill from your local gas utility company (Washington Gas, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Shenandoah Gas, BGE, PECO Gas, UGI Utilities or UGI Penn Natural Gas). WGES gas commodity charges will be listed on your gas bill. Gas delivery charges will still originate from your local gas company. You will continue to make one payment to your utility company.
Will I be able to continue on my utility company's budget bill program if I choose WGES as my gas supplier?
For Washington Gas Customers: - Yes, Customers will be able to continue to use the Washington Gas Budget Bill plan.
For Columbia Gas of Virginia:- Yes, Customers will be able to continue to use the Columbia Gas Budget Bill plan.
For Shenandoah Gas of Virginia: - Yes, Customers will be able to continue to use the Shenandoah Gas Budget Bill plan.
For BGE Customers: - You will be able remain on the BGE Budget Bill program, however, the Budget Bill plan will only pertain to the BGE distribution charges. The gas commodity charges (from the third party supplier, WGES) will be billed monthly based on the actual amount of gas delivered.
For PECO Gas Customers: Yes, Customers will be able to continue to use the Peco Gas Budget Bill plan. following account reconciliation.
For UGI Utilities: You will be able remain on UGI Utilities’ Budget Bill program, however, the Budget Bill plan will only pertain to UGI Utilities’ distribution charges, due to their restrictions. The gas commodity charges (from the third party supplier, WGES) will be billed monthly based on the actual amount of gas delivered.
For UGI Penn Natural Gas: You will be able remain on UGI Penn Natural Gas' Budget Bill program. However, the Budget Bill plan will only pertain to UGI Penn Natural Gas’ distribution charges, due to their restrictions. The gas commodity charges (from the third party supplier, WGES) will be billed monthly based on the actual amount of gas delivered.
How do I know that WGES will provide reliable service?
Washington Gas Energy Services is a financially secure company that is currently the leading supplier of deregulated gas to customers in the Washington D.C. area. Washington Gas Energy Services has been approved by Washington Gas, BGE, Columbia Gas of Virginia, PECO Gas, UGI Utilities, UGI Penn Natural Gas, and Shenandoah Gas to participate in their deregulation programs. We will supply your gas reliably since we have extensive experience in buying and selling gas to these markets.
Will I save money by switching my gas service provider to WGES?
Choosing WGES as your gas provider can allow you to manage your bill more effectively. For example, you may lock into a fixed price with WGES on an annual contract. This protects your budget from the price spikes and fluctuations that can typically occur with gas prices throughout the year. Utility companies are not able to offer fixed price options, and their rates can vary. While WGES cannot forecast future gas rates, we strive to develop pricing offers that allow customers to better control their energy expenditures.
How can I enroll?
For your convenience, WGES offers web-based and telephone enrollment processes. The WGES Customer Care Center (1-888-236-WGES) is available Monday-Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm EST for enrollment, questions or any other assistance. Enrollment via the Internet is available on this website at http://www.wges.com.
What if I want to cancel with my current energy supply company and switch to WGES?
Before switching, carefully review the terms and conditions of the agreement with your current energy supplier along with any utility program stipulations. You must notify your supplier that you are switching to another supplier. Then you must complete, sign, and return the WGES consent form.
Are there any additional charges or cancellation fees?
Outstanding utility company charges will remain on your bill even after switching to WGES as your energy service provider.
Washington Gas - The customer is responsible for the utility balancing charge. WGES will charge an early termination fee of the greater of $150 or $20 per month for each month remaining on the contract term if you cancel your contract before the end of the term.
Columbia Gas, VA - No additional charges are included from the supplier. Balancing charges and taxes are paid to the utility. WGES will charge an early termination fee of the greater of $150 or $20 per month for each month remaining on the contract term if you cancel your contract before the end of the term.
Shenandoah Gas - The customer is responsible for the Utility balancing charge. WGES will charge an early termination fee of the greater of $150 or $20 per month for each month remaining on the contract term if you cancel your contract before the end of the term.
BGE - The customer will be responsible for state sales tax. WGES will charge an early termination fee of the greater of $150 or $20 per month for each month remaining on the contract term if you cancel your contract before the end of the term.
PECO Gas, UGI Utilities, and UGI Penn Natural Gas – WGES will charge an early termination fee of $150 if you cancel your contract before the end of the term.
What is the balancing fee?
The balancing fee is the amount charged by the utility company to manage the variation in the natural gas usage pattern from day to day and season to season. It covers storage when less gas is needed and peaking when more gas is required. WGES charges the same amount as the utility company for this service.
Who will come out and check for gas leaks and respond to emergencies?
Your utility company -- Washington Gas, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Shenandoah Gas or BGE -- will respond to emergencies and check for gas leaks. They still own, operate and maintain all of the gas distribution systems.
Who can help me with questions concerning my bill?
WGES can answer questions about your bill except for the distribution charges, which originate from your local utility company along with your bill. You can contact your local utility company directly at the following phone numbers: Washington Gas - 800.752.7520, Columbia Gas VA - 800.543.8911, Shenandoah Gas - 800.566.7436, BGE - 800.685.0123, PECO Gas - 800.494.4000, UGI Utilities - 800.276.2722, and UGI Penn Natural Gas - 800.276.2722.
What is a therm? (applicable for Washington Gas, Shenandoah Gas and BGE Customers)
A therm is simply the unit of measure for natural gas. Just as you pay for gasoline for your car by the gallon, you pay for natural gas by the therm. Your total gas bill is comprised of the number of therms you use, multiplied by the cost per therm, plus other gas delivery charges.
What is a CCF? (applicable for Columbia Gas of Virginia, PECO Gas, UGI Utilities, and UGI Penn Natural Gas Customers)
A CCF is simply a unit of measurement for natural gas. Just as you pay for gasoline by the gallon, you pay for natural gas by the CCF. Your total gas bill is comprised of the number of CCFs you use, multiplied by the cost per CCF, plus other gas delivery charges.
How can I obtain current or historic utility rates?
You must contact your local utility company directly, the entity that processes your bill, at the following phone number to obtain current and historic utility rates. (Note: To make an "apples to apples" comparison, be sure to ask for the utility's gas commodity rate since that is the comparable charge to the WGES gas price): Washington Gas - 800.752.7520, Columbia Gas VA - 800.543.8911, Shenandoah Gas - 800.566.7436, BGE - 410.265.4100, PECO Gas - 800.494.4000, UGI Utilities - 800.276.2722, and UGI Penn Natural Gas - 800.276.2722.
Why did the WGES door to door agent collect my energy bill(s)?
WGES collects utility energy bills from customers to ensure that the account information is correct and to help expedite the enrollment with the utility. WGES makes every effort possible to promptly return these energy bills to the customer along with an additional copy of their signed agreement.
