3 months ago
CHEVERLY, Md. (WUSA) -- Michael Toscano doesn't usually pay attention to solicitations in the mail. But, he was intrigued about when he read that natural gas prices haven't been this low in years.
"I thought, well, this is easy. I just fill out this thing and save some money," said Toscano.
When Toscano tried to research the offer he ended up with a headache. He kept getting conflicting information about the gas market.
Here's the offer he received. It came in the mail from Washington Gas Energy Services an unregulated affiliate of Washington Gas that serves 230,000 gas and electric customers. You either lock in at 75 cents a therm, which is considered a unit of gas. Or, you cement the deal for 2 years at 89 cents a therm.
Toscano wonders: "Why are they making me this offer? Is it a good deal? I want to know."
Paula Carmody heads Maryland's Office of the People's Counsel. She says, "that is a question we cannot answer directly."
Carmody says there is no apples to apples comparison for gas prices to determine whether this deal is better than others. That's because gas prices fluctuate monthly. And, past prices aren't an indicator for future ones.
Maryland's Office of the People's Counsel compiles three years worth of gas prices on their website, click here to take a look.
For instance, in October of this year, Washington Gas customers paid 78 cents a therm. This month, it's 83 cents a therm.
For instance, in October of this year, Washington Gas customers paid 78 cents a therm. This month, it's 83 cents a therm.Leah Gibbons, a spokesperson, for Washington Gas Energy Services says 2500 customers have already signed up for their offer. It's a plan WGES believes is competitive with the major utilities and suppliers and provides consumers with a level of budget certainty.
WGES has offered these kinds of deals for at least the past five years.
Toscano does what he can at home to reduce his energy bills. He's got good insulation, lives in a brick home and uses radiated heat.
To read more ways to make your home more energy efficient, click here.
He's trying to insulate his wallet from another season of huge gas bills. But, the WGES offer is one he says he'll refuse.
He's trying to insulate his wallet from another season of huge gas bills. But, the WGES offer is one he says he'll refuse."I don't think I'll bother with it and frankly the savings probably wouldn't be that much."
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