Standard Choice Offer

Energy Choice is an opportunity to manage your gas costs through selection of a rate plan that works for you. If you are eligible to participate in the Energy Choice program and do not choose a supplier, you will be assigned the SCO rate option. You will still receive the same reliable natural gas service, but you won’t be selecting from whom you buy the natural gas. Although customers are not required to shop, we do encourage customers to review available options periodically to ensure they are making informed decisions about their natural gas costs.

There are many factors that influence the price of gas, including weather, the popularity of natural gas in homes and businesses, supply and demand, and competing fuels such as oil, coal, and renewable forms of energy.

No, the SCO rate will change each month. They may be more, or less, than the price of gas a customer may find with a retail supplier or governmental aggregation program. Plus, a supplier may be able to offer a fixed rate, which helps customers plan their gas costs.

The SCO customer's assigned default supplier changes every April due to Enbridge Gas Ohio’s auction process. The SCO rate will transfer if the customer moves. However, when a customer's account closes and we issue a final bill, he or she will go through the SCO rotation again once service is restored, which means the customer may end up with the same, or a different, SCO supplier.

Some low-cost or no-cost ways to save energy and money include:

• Adjust the thermostat temperature settings: You can save as much as 1 percent for every degree you lower your thermostat.
• Furnace efficiency: Newer, higher-efficiency furnaces use less natural gas than older, less-efficient furnaces.
• Home insulation: Well-insulated homes use less natural gas for heating than poorly insulated homes.

Yes, there are a number of programs that income-eligible residential customers can apply for including HEAP, PIPP Plus and EnergyShare Customers can apply for HEAP and PIPP Plus by calling the Ohio Department of Development at 1-800-282-0880. To apply for EnergyShare, customers can contact their local Salvation Army.