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Category: Natural Gas

Heating Bill Shock: CenterPoint Energy Ohio Gas Rates Jump 41% for February

By David Cosseboom

Homeowners in West Central Ohio are waking up to a harsh reality this morning. Effective February 1, CenterPoint Energy Ohio (formerly Vectren) has increased its Standard Choice Offer (SCO) for natural gas to $1.0182 per Ccf. This dramatic price hike represents a 41.1% increase over January’s rate of $0.7215 and crosses the psychologically significant $1.00…

Standard Choice Offer (SCO): Understanding Your Default Gas Rate

By David Cosseboom

Learn how Ohio’s default natural gas rate works and whether it’s the right choice for your home. If you live in Ohio and use natural gas, you might have noticed the term “Standard Choice Offer” or “SCO” on your monthly bill and wondered exactly what you are paying for. For many residents, especially those served…

How Does Budget Billing Work? A Simple Guide to Predictable Bills

By LaLeesha Haynes

Budget billing smooths out your utility payments to avoid seasonal spikes, but it doesn’t lower your total energy costs. Opening your utility bill during a heatwave or a cold snap can feel like a gamble, with prices often jumping hundreds of dollars higher than you expected. At UtilitiesForMyHome.com, we know that if you live on…

Michigan Utility Alert: Natural Gas Rates Spike for January 2026

By David Cosseboom

Michigan residents opening their utility bills this month may notice a sharp uptick in costs. Effective January 1, 2026, the state’s three largest natural gas providers, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, and SEMCO Energy, have adjusted their rates upward, creating a challenging financial landscape for the peak of the winter heating season. While many ratepayers often…

How to Switch Natural Gas Providers: A Step-by-Step Guide to Lower Rates

By Claudio Kriegel

Switching your natural gas supplier can lower your monthly utility bills and give you access to eco-conscious energy options without interrupting your service. Opening your natural gas bill during the peak of winter can be a shock to the system. If that total due is higher than you expected, you aren’t helpless. In deregulated energy…