Atlanta gas rates have risen over the last week according to AAA and are 11 cents higher than they were a year ago. It’s important to shop and compare gas prices to find the best deals for your home or business.

Georgia’s natural gas markets were deregulated in 1998, allowing residential customers to choose their own gas supplier. While Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) still delivers and manages your gas pipes, it no longer supplies the natural gas you use at your home. Instead, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved natural gas marketers to supply your natural gas. You can see all natural gas marketers on the PSC’s website, along with their rates to compare.

Georgia Natural Gas: Your Guide to Reliable Energy Services and Savings

Your natural gas bill has two parts — base charges and supply charges. The base charges cover the cost of delivering your gas safely and reliably to your home or business, including meter reading, peaking service and franchise recovery costs. The supplier’s rate for the Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC) covers the cost of storing enough energy to meet your estimated usage on the coldest day of the year.

If you decide to switch natural gas providers, you won’t pay an activation fee from your new supplier and the transition should take one to two billing cycles. Then, you’ll pay your new gas supplier your monthly bills. When shopping for a natural gas provider in Georgia, be sure to consider the price per therm, contract length and abilities to save with bill credits and discounts.