Why is my gas bill for ONLY a stove so ridiculously large ($50!)?
I hear a great deal about the increasing cost of gas, but I'm not complaining around the cost of the gas I use or even the string of taxes. But how is it legal to charge a service duty that is 500% or more of the product? This is my great bill and it's just so I can cook on a stove? It's so ridiculous, something must be wrong. Can I fix this?
Answers: Unfortunately, it's impeccably legal to charge a monthly "customer charge", since by arranging for service you agreed to any charge they clear. I agree that it's highway robbery, but there might not be anything you can do in the order of it. Since gas service is so often a monopoly you probably can't lift your business elsewhere. You could call them and ask them if there's a cheaper route to do things, though; if the customer charge is generated near every bill, it might be possible to pay annually or quarterly instead of every other month.
If you do desire to go near liquid propane instead (and it is practical; most cooktops can be cheaply retrofitted to use LP), you may save money, but since you're surrounded by an apartment building make sure it's legalized to do so. You don't want to be doing this against code or regulations - if the tank explodes or catch fire, the landlord could ding you instinctively for anything lost, and that could be millions if the building burns down or if anyone's injured (and your insurance won't cover it if you're going against regs). Just a warning.
Most utilities are regulated. That mortal said, you dont say where on earth you are located and what type of gas... (natural or propane) Is this a new installation or ongoing service.
Call the company. Ask what the charge is. Ask who regulates them and call for them as well. Threatening to give somebody a lift your business elsewhere is usually a meaningless threat since very few places hold more than 1 natural gas company.
You might find that your allowance is a one time charge.
Very simply the customer charge is the cost of using the network to gain the gas to your premises, the cost of sending accounts to you. The 4 to 8 is the value of the gas you consume. If you don't similar to it get rid of it or don't use it. and procure the gas disconnected.
Sorry to sound blunt but it costs money to return with the gas to your dwelling and you use it so pay up or no stove.
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