Change to Your Natural Gas Bill
To our valued customers:
NJNG’s rates have recently changed.
On November 21, 2024, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approved our request to recover on the more than $850 million in system investments NJNG has made over the past three years. The BPU is the regulatory body for NJNG and other utilities throughout the state and carefully reviews all rate changes to ensure they are both fair and reasonable.
These improvements to our infrastructure and business operations are already in place, helping ensure reliable energy delivery and system safety to meet your energy needs. And, as NJNG is a lifeline service provider, these investments help us provide you the energy you need to heat your home and operate your business, especially during the coldest days of the year.
A residential heating customer using about 80 therms a month may see an increase of $19.38 on their monthly bill.
To learn more about your natural gas costs, see the questions below.
Your monthly service billing period is typically 26 to 34 days. Here’s what you pay for:
- Basic Gas Supply (BGS) — This is the price of natural gas and is updated annually based on supply, demand and weather conditions. NJNG charges you the same price we pay without any markup.
- Delivery (DEL) — This includes the base rate to recover our infrastructure investments for safe and reliable operations.
- Monthly customer charge — A fixed charge that offsets the cost of billing, meter reading, equipment and service line maintenance.
We calculate your monthly bill by multiplying the BGS and DEL rates by the total therms you used during the service period, then add the customer charge. If you get your natural gas from a third-party supplier, confirm the rate you are billed. You can compare it to NJNG’s rate here.
The base rate is the rate NJNG charges customers for the service we provide, allowing us to earn a fair return on capital investments so we can support system enhancements. It covers NJNG’s costs to maintain and operate our infrastructure and is regulated by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities — which sets the base rates and ensures reasonable pricing for customers. For residential customers, the base rate is reflected in the Customer Charge and Delivery Charge portions of your bill and allows us to recover our infrastructure investments for safe and reliable operations. For applicable commercial customers, demand charges may also be subject to change.
NJNG serves approximately 580,000 customers throughout Monmouth, Ocean, Morris, Middlesex, Sussex and Burlington Counties, providing essential natural gas for heating and other necessary needs.
The approved rate ensures we can continue to operate our system at a high level and recover the investments we’ve made to enhance the safety, reliability and resiliency of our system. These include upgrading and replacing aging pipes, improving infrastructure safety and reliability and modernizing our customer service and field dispatch platforms to respond more efficiently to your needs. These improvements are already benefitting you but were not previously reflected in rates.
Click here to learn more about the investments reflected in this rate adjustment.
Heat energy (natural gas) is measured in therms. One therm equals 100,000 British Thermal Units (which appears as BTUs on your NJNG bill). How much you pay depends on the amount of monthly natural gas usage. This is calculated by multiplying the cost of a therm by the number of therms you use.
The typical NJNG residential heating customer uses approximately 80 therms of natural gas per month. This is determined by calculating the sum of each month’s average use which is the total monthly therms of all NJNG residential heating customers divided by the total number of residential heating customers served in the month and then dividing the sum by 12.
For residential customers, the base rate adjustment is reflected in the Delivery Charge portion of your bill. The price per therm and Delivery Charge can be found in the Bill Calculation box on your NJNG bill. You can also check out this video on How to Read Your Bill.
The rate change is effective November 21, 2024. If this falls within the middle of your billing cycle, there will be a prorated adjustment on your next bill. This means the Delivery and Customer Charges for the natural gas you used from the start of your billing cycle through the date new rates become effective, will be calculated using the old rate. The remaining portion through the end of your billing period will reflect the new rate. The exact impact to your bill depends on many factors, including the amount of your household’s energy consumption and the effective date of the rate change within your individual billing cycle.
For customers who are enrolled in an Equal Payment Plan (EPP), your payment amount was set this past August. The new rate will be reflected in your plan amount at the start of the next EPP year in August 2025. (The EPP year runs August through July of the following year.) However, some customers may see the new base rate applied in February following mid-year review of your EPP. If the current plan amount is not keeping pace with your estimated natural gas usage through the end of the plan year, the amount will be adjusted at that time using the new base rate. While NJNG validates the accuracy of your budget twice per year, it’s important that you also monitor your usage and make adjustments as needed to ensure you are using energy efficiently.
Natural gas continues to be the lowest-cost energy source for how most NJNG customers heat their homes. The price we pay for the natural gas we deliver to you is the same price you pay — there is no markup. So, the less energy you use, the lower your energy bills.
If you get your natural gas from a third-party supplier, confirm the rate you are billed. You can compare it to NJNG’s rate here.
Your natural gas bills can be affected by several factors beyond costs and market conditions.
- Seasonal Changes — Heating makes up about half of your energy consumption. The colder it gets the more natural gas you use to heat your home and keep your business running.
- Outdated, Inefficient Appliances — Older, less-efficient equipment and appliances (furnace/boiler, water heater, washer, dryer) work harder and use more energy to produce the same heat as newer, efficient equipment.
- Living Habit Changes — Whether you have a child home from college or are hosting guests, keeping them comfortable during their stay may mean increased heating, cooking, laundry and shower use.
- Home Drafts — Poor insulation and seal up allows heated air to escape from your home through your attic, vents, gaps around outlets and fixtures, etc., and causes your natural gas equipment to work harder.
- Thermostat Use — Inefficient thermostat settings or having an outdated model can cause your heating system to run longer and more frequently, wasting energy and increasing your natural gas bills.
Understanding how you use natural gas is a major factor to helping you save energy and money. By paying attention to such things as lifestyle, habits, behavior and your home’s efficiency, you can make more informed decisions to help lower your natural gas bills.
Consider NJNG’s free Home Energy Analysis* to help you identify energy-saving opportunities in your home.
Take control of your natural gas usage and save on your energy bills with these available resources.
Easily adjust and track your natural gas consumption to make smarter energy decisions. To compare and track your energy usage, log in to My Account at MyAccount.njng.com and click on the Usage tab.
*Terms and conditions apply. Only available to NJNG residential customers through December 31, 2024. NJNG makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, regarding energy savings measures or the energy analysis services, or as to the completeness or amount of energy savings resulting from an audit/analysis. Estimates of energy savings are generalized, and no particular amount of energy savings is promised or guaranteed. This offer does not apply to new construction.
What resources are available to help manage my natural gas bills?
We understand the impact energy costs can have on your household budget. That’s why we make it a priority to connect our customers with a variety of tools, resources and programs to help you manage your natural gas bills.
Energy assistance grants are available for varying household income levels. For example, a family of four with a household income of $153,514 may qualify. Plus, you may be eligible for more than one program. In addition, NJNG’s Gift of Warmth provides eligible customers with an annual grant of up to $500* to help households facing unexpected financial hardship continue or reconnect your natural gas service.
*Terms and conditions apply. Click here to learn more, for eligibility requirements and to apply.
If you have an outstanding balance, you may qualify for an interest-free payment arrangement to help bring your NJNG account current. To enroll, log in to My Account at MyAccount.njng.com or call 800-221-0051. Terms and conditions apply.
NJNG’s Equal Payment Plan (EPP) helps even out bill fluctuations due to winter weather by spreading your estimated annual natural gas costs over 12 months. You can anticipate the amount of your NJNG bill each month, making it easier to budget your household expenses.
Log in to My Account at MyAccount.njng.com to register. Terms and conditions apply.
Take the first step toward a more energy-efficient home and lower energy bills with a no-cost home energy analysis from NJNG’s SAVEGREEN® energy-efficiency program. Our certified auditor will assess your home to find out where heated or cooled air is escaping and provide recommendations that best meet your needs and budget. To learn more and schedule your home energy analysis, visit savegreen.com.
*Terms and conditions apply. Only available to NJNG residential customers through December 31, 2024. NJNG makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, regarding energy savings measures or the energy analysis services, or as to the completeness or amount of energy savings resulting from an audit/analysis. Estimates of energy savings are generalized, and no particular amount of energy savings is promised or guaranteed. This offer does not apply to new construction.
New Jersey’s Comfort Partners Program*† – Through this program, qualifying limited-income households receive energy education, a no-cost home energy assessment and energy improvements including insulation, weather stripping, and efficient lighting. For additional information and eligibility requirements, go to njng.com/energyassistance.
NJNG’s Home Weatherization Program – NJNG provides qualifying moderate income-eligible customers with a free home energy assessment and up to $6,000** in free weatherization measures. Learn about eligibility and program information at njngsavegreen.com.
*Terms and conditions apply. †This program is independent of NJNG.
**Terms and conditions apply. Must be a NJNG residential customer whose primary residence is a single- or in a multi-family dwelling with up to three units. For homeowners, must own home for a minium of one year. Homes 0-5 years old or under a builder's warranty are excluded. For renters, the home must be located in an approved census tract and landlord consent is required. Both renters and homeowners must meet the income guidelines.
Get instant discounts on energy- and water-saving products only on the NJNG Marketplace. Look for special offers throughout the year on smart thermostats for as low as $0* to help manage your energy bills.
*Eligibility is verified during checkout. Terms and conditions apply. Customers are responsible for all applicable sales tax and shipping costs, which will be applied at checkout. Sales tax is calculated on the full sale price, as required by the New Jersey Division of Taxation. NJNG instant rebate limited to the purchase of two thermostats per NJNG account only over the lifetime of the NJNG Marketplace. Smart thermostats are not compatible with all heating and cooling systems.
SAVEGREEN® by New Jersey Natural Gas offers budget-friendly solutions to help make home energy improvements like insultation, seal up, and HVAC and/or water heating equipment upgrades more affordable. Rebates and a 0%* APR On-Bill Repayment Program are available to help you move ahead with projects that meet your needs and budget.
*Terms and conditions apply. All offers are subject to available funding. Maximum OBRP 0% APR financing for eligible NJNG customers is $15,000. All loans are net of NJNG rebates. NJNG reserves the right, with approval of the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, to terminate, modify, suspend or extend this rebate program. NJNG rebates and incentives do not apply to new construction. Offer applies to qualifying equipment purchased and installed by December 31, 2024. Visit SAVEGREEN.com for rebates and financing terms and conditions.
We know energy costs can affect your household budget. That’s why we are committed to providing you with tools and resources to help manage your natural gas usage and costs effectively. From energy-saving tips to budget-friendly, energy-efficiency solutions, we’re here for you.