Natural Gas Apples to Apples Charts – Tools to Help You Find and Compare Competitive Suppliers

Ohio’s natural gas choice programs allow customers to choose an alternative supplier for natural gas. The PUCO Apples to Apples comparison charts provide you with the name, phone number, and current offer of suppliers in your service territory, and help you compare offers to see if an alternative supplier can save you money on natural gas.

The Apples to Apples charts are designed as a tool to provide you with a snapshot of current natural gas supplier offers. The offers on the charts are updated and verified on a regular basis, and only PUCO certified suppliers are listed on the Apples to Apples charts. However, because of the current volatility of the natural gas market, the offers are subject to change without prior notice. Make sure you verify the current offer with the supplier before signing any forms to enroll.

The PUCO Web site offers an interactive and printable worksheet version of the Apples to Apples charts. Each version provides you with step-by-step instructions on how to calculate your estimated natural gas costs through the local utility compared to a competitive supplier. Keep in mind that the Apples to Apples tools are designed to compare the offer of one supplier with the local utility. If you would like to compare several competitive suppliers, you will need to perform the calculation for each supplier you are considering.

To use the interactive calculator:

• Click on the “Apples to Apples Interactive Calculator” link from the Apples to Apples chart for your local utility. This will open in a new browser window.
• From the list, select your local utility company (Cincinnati Gas & Electric, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Dominion East Ohio, or Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio).
• Indicate your current status with natural gas choice from the listed selections.
• Enter the current rate for the supplier you wish to compare. The list of supplier offers can be found on the Apples to Apples chart for your local utility company.
• Enter your annual gas usage, which can be found on your natural gas bill.
• Enter the sales tax rate for your county, which can be found by clicking on the link to the county sales tax map.
• Click “Calculate.” This will provide you with an estimate of your monthly bill for the competitive supplier and the local utility company.
• Repeat the process to compare your estimated monthly cost from other suppliers.

To use the printable self-calculation worksheet:

• Click on the PDF version of the Apples to Apples chart for your local utility. This will give you a printer-friendly version of the chart.
• The printable version includes the list of supplier offers, a calculation worksheet, and a map to find your county sales tax.
• To compare the offer of a supplier to the local utility, follow the instructions on the self-calculation worksheet. This will give you an estimated monthly cost of the competitive supplier to compare to your estimated cost with the local utility.
• Repeat the process to compare your estimated monthly cost from other suppliers.

Because each customer’s usage and consumption is different, the PUCO cannot make any recommendations regarding competitive suppliers. Our Apples to Apples charts are meant to provide information to help you decide if a competitive supplier can help save you money. Before you decide to enroll with a competitive supplier, make sure you thoroughly read and understand the terms and conditions of the contract. The Apples to Apples charts also provide you with some helpful questions to ask suppliers before enrolling.

If you have further questions about natural gas choice or the Apples to Apples charts, please contact the PUCO at (800) 686-PUCO (7826).