Key Takeaways
- Rate Spike: CenterPoint Energy Ohio’s natural gas rate has surged to $1.0182 per Ccf for February 2026, a 41% increase from January and nearly double the rate from one year ago.
- The Cause: A late January “Arctic blast” caused wellhead freeze-offs and a production drop, driving market prices to a 3-year high right as monthly rates were set.
- Bill Impact: The average household could see their monthly gas bill rise by over $80 compared to last February solely due to higher commodity costs.
- How to Save: Residents in 18 communities (like Kettering and Miamisburg) are protected by a lower aggregation rate, but City of Dayton residents must shop individually or rely on state aid like HEAP.
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 threshold for the first time this winter. For families already battling the cold, this adjustment comes at the worst possible time, coinciding with peak heating demand.
Why Are Rates Skyrocketing?
While CenterPoint Energy distributes the gas, they do not profit from the sale of the gas itself. The rate you pay is a direct pass-through of market costs, which are recalibrated monthly based on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX).
The culprit for this month’s spike was a “perfect storm” of supply and demand shocks in late January. An extreme winter storm system triggered “freeze-offs” at natural gas wells, knocking nearly 50 billion cubic feet of production offline just as the February pricing contracts were being finalized. Traders scrambled to secure supply, driving the settlement price to its highest level in over three years.
What This Means for Your Wallet
The math is unforgiving for those on the default variable rate.
- Last Year (Feb 2025): The rate was roughly $0.51 per Ccf. A home using 150 Ccf paid about $76.50 for the gas itself.
- This Year (Feb 2026): At $1.0182 per Ccf, that same usage will cost $152.73 for the gas supply alone.
When you add in the fixed monthly charges of roughly $49 and distribution fees, total bills for many detached homes will easily eclipse $220 this month.
Who Is Impacted?
This increase affects the CenterPoint Energy Ohio service territory, which covers 17 counties in West Central Ohio. Major impacted cities include:
Note: Residents in Springfield and parts of Clark County are typically served by Columbia Gas and have a different rate ($1.0710 for Feb 2026).
The “Tale of Two Cities”: Are You Protected?
Not everyone will pay the higher $1.0182 rate. Your financial impact depends heavily on where you live and whether you have joined an aggregation program.
The Protected: MVCC Communities
If you live in one of the 18 communities participating in the Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) natural gas aggregation, you are likely shielded. Residents in cities like Centerville, Englewood, Kettering, Miamisburg, Troy, and West Carrollton were automatically enrolled with Archer Energy at a fixed rate of $0.6625 per Ccf.
The Benefit: These residents will save approximately $0.35 per Ccf, or about $53 a month, compared to the default CenterPoint rate.
The Exposed: City of Dayton & Oakwood
- City of Dayton: Dayton is not a participant in the MVCC natural gas program. Unless Dayton residents have individually shopped for a supplier, they are paying the full $1.0182 SCO rate.
- Oakwood: While an MVCC member, Oakwood operates an “Opt-In” program. Residents there must have actively called Archer Energy to join; otherwise, they remain on the high default rate.
Find Natural Gas Providers In Ohio
3 Ways to Lower Your Bill Now
If you are currently exposed to the SCO rate, take these steps immediately:
- Shop for a Fixed Rate: You can switch suppliers to lock in a lower rate. Current offers on the PUCO Energy Choice Ohio website are showing fixed rates near $0.65 per Ccf. Switching now may not lower your February bill due to processing times, but it will protect you for March and beyond.
- Check Your Eligibility for Aid: If your household income is at or below $56,262 (for a family of 4), you may qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or the Winter Crisis Program. Applications are available at EnergyHelp.Ohio.gov.
- Low-Cost Weatherization: You can’t control the price of gas, but you can control how much you burn.
- Change your furnace filter monthly.
- Lower your thermostat by 7-10°F while sleeping or at work.
- Seal leaks around windows and doors with caulk or draft stoppers.
Future Changes
Looking further ahead, CenterPoint Energy has announced it will sell its Ohio natural gas business to National Fuel Gas Company in late 2026. While this doesn’t affect rates today, it signals major changes coming to the local utility landscape.
For now, check your bill, verify your supplier, and consider locking in a rate to ride out the rest of the winter.
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.