Understanding Your Bill
Several factors determine the amount of your gas bill every month. Here you can learn about the main sections of your gas bill. As you review this information, it may be helpful to have your bill with you.
Bill Features
- A – Account Summary
A snapshot of your previous balance and payment information, with the total amount due and due date. - B – A Message for You
Special section containing messages about your account or other important information. - C – Outline of Charges
Easier-to-read line item charges for gas delivery, the cost of gas and taxes.
- D – Energy Profile
An enhanced look at your energy use over the last 13 months, with specifics on consumption, meter reading information, the cost of gas and average temperature.
- E – Sharing Program
Help a family in need to pay their gas bill and stay warm this winter. To make a one-time donation, check a box to add that amount to your payment.
- F –Budget Plan
Spread out your bill payments to help manage your winter heating costs. Take advantage of our Budget Plan by paying the adjusted amount indicated.
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Three Parts of Your Bill
Natural Gas Cost ( 75-80%)
Natural gas costs make up the largest portion of your Nicor Gas bill. This is the charge for the gas you use during the billing month. It is calculated by multiplying your gas usage by the average cost per therm we pay for gas supplies. The amount you pay varies monthly based on the cost of gas and the amount you use. Nicor Gas does not profit from gas costs; we pass our cost on to you without markup.
Delivery Charges (15-20%)
Delivery charges shown on your bill consist of the following:
Monthly Customer Charge – a fixed amount that covers our expenses to read your meter, produce your bill and other monthly administrative costs. A small portion of this charge covers various taxes. This charge is incurred even if no gas is used.
Distribution Charges – covers our operating and distribution costs. These charges vary monthly based on the amount of natural gas you use.
Environmental Recovery Cost – covers our cost for the environmental monitoring and clean-up of former manufactured gas facilities. This cost changes periodically, and Nicor Gas does not profit from these charges.
Franchise Cost – covers our cost for municipal franchise agreements. Nicor Gas does not profit from this charge.
Governmental Agency Adjustment – an adjustment for governmental fees and added costs, excluding franchise costs. This cost changes periodically, and Nicor Gas does not profit from these adjustments.
Efficiency Program Charge (Effective June, 2009) – pays for costs related to energy efficiency programs. Nicor Gas does not profit from this charge.
Taxes (5-10%)
Taxes are levied by the State of Illinois and various local municipalities.There are several taxes that may be associated with your natural gas bill, including:
State Revenue Tax – a tax mandated by the state
Utility Fund Tax – mandated by the state, this tax funds the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which regulates all Illinois utilities
State Use Tax – a tax for gas purchased outside Illinois for use in Illinois
Municipal Utility Tax – some municipalities charge this tax which is based on utility revenues and applied according to the municipality's local ordinance
Municipal Use Tax – some municipalities charge this tax based on your gas usage
More information about charges related to our Customer Select alternative gas supplier program, third-party warranty and other services> For more information please see the back of your bill.
Understanding Degree Days
Heating degree days were developed as a way to relate each day's temperature to the demand for fuel to heat buildings.
Heating degree days are calculated by adding the high and low temperatures of a given day and then dividing by two (to obtain the average temperature). Each degree the average daily temperature falls below 65 degrees represents a heating degree day.
Take a look at the following example:
High temperature: 38
Low temperature: 24
Add the day's high and low temperatures: 38 + 24 = 62
Divide by two: 62 / 2 = 31
The average temperature for the day is 31 degrees.
Subtract the average temperature from 65: 65 - 31 = 34
There are 34 degree days for this day.
Since your individual gas use and your bill can be affected by weather, your Nicor Gas bill shows "total degree days" for both the current billing period and the same period last year so you can compare them.
The National Weather Service has detailed degree day information for various regions of the country, including the Chicago area.
Why Your Bill May Vary
Your gas bill will vary from month-to-month for a variety of reasons. Here are some common factors that cause your bill amount to change:
Factors you can't control:
- The cost of gas changes from month to month.
- Your gas usage was estimated. We take actual readings every other month, and make adjustments on your next bill.
- The number of days in your billing cycle changed slightly.
- Changes in weather caused your heat to come on more often.
Factors you can control:
- You added new gas appliances, like a hot tub or a gas fireplace.
- Your appliance usage increased – most common during holidays and school vacations, or when you entertain or have houseguests.
- Your lifestyle changed, such as working at home or the arrival of a new baby.
Ways you can help control your gas usage:
- Fix leaky hot water faucets.
- Replace furnace and air conditioner filters.
- Relocate thermostats away from drafty or chilly areas.
- Clean dryer lint traps.
- Replace older, less energy-efficient gas appliances.
- Repair windows that don't close properly. Replace single-pane windows.
- Close fireplace dampers when not in use.
- To help lessen fluctuations in your bill year-round, consider enrolling in the Budget Plan. Learn ways to increase your home's energy efficiency.
Log in to My Account for:
Meter reading information
Gas use history
Energy Profile Information
The Energy Profile section provides information about your current and past natural gas usage.
Current Reading - This represents the current reading of your gas meter, which is determined by one of three methods:
- Actual Meter Reading – your reading was taken by a company meter reader.
- Customer Reading – you reported your meter reading to us.
- Estimated Meter Reading – Nicor Gas estimated your meter reading based on your previous usage and the weather. Every other month, we estimate most meter readings. Then, on your next bill, any difference from your prior month's estimate is automatically corrected when we take an actual meter reading.
Previous Reading - The reading of your gas meter in the last billing period.
Usage CCF - The difference in gas usage (measured in hundreds of cubic feet) between the previous reading and the current reading.
BTU Factor - A factor which expresses the amount of heat content a CCF of gas contains. The BTU factor is applied to convert a volume of gas measured in CCF into therms and may change slightly from month to month.
Average Daily Therms - Your new bill shows your average therm usage for the current billing period and for the same period last year. For billing, your natural gas use is converted from hundreds of cubic feet (CCF) into therms, the basic unit for measuring and billing the amount of natural gas you use. One therm is equal to 100,000 British thermal units (BTU). To determine the amount of therms, we multiply your CCF use by the BTU factor. This factor gives the actual heating value of the gas we supply. The BTU factor may vary from month to month, so please refer to your bill for the actual factor being used.
Monthly Therm Use - This graph shows your therm usage for the last 13 months, with the average temperature and natural gas cost (if you purchase your natural gas from Nicor Gas) for each month.
