How do I know if I have a gas leak?
Natural gas has no odor. To help you detect the presence of gas, a strong odorant that smells like rotten eggs is added. We urge you to call us the first time you smell a natural gas odor.
If you smell this odor:
- Exit the building immediately.
- Do not use matches, lighters, electrical switches, appliances or your telephone.
- Call New Jersey Natural Gas from a nearby building by dialing 1-800-GAS-LEAK (1-800-427-5325).
- Do not re-enter the building until New Jersey Natural Gas has declared it safe.
- Our personnel will be happy to assist you. This service is provided at no charge, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
What are the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Symptoms are often mistaken for those of the flu – severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. One difference is that with carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning there is usually no fever, and symptoms tend to clear up when you breathe fresh air. Also, CO poisoning affects pets. If you have any questions about carbon monoxide poisoning, or think you are experiencing symptoms, call 1-800-POISON (1-800-764-7661). If an emergency exists, get fresh air and call 9-1-1.
To help you avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, it's important to have your heating equipment checked for safety and efficiency. When your gas-fired appliances don't work properly, they may produce carbon monoxide -- a colorless, odorless and potentially dangerous gas. Carbon monoxide can build to dangerous levels in your home or garage. If inhaled in large quantities for a prolonged period, CO can cause unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
To learn more about carbon monoxide click here.
If I need to dig in my yard, who do I call before I start?
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG! Before you dig any hole in the street or your yard, use New Jersey’s “One Call” system by dialing 1-800-272-1000 for a free markout of underground water, sewer, electric and gas utility lines. Help prevent injury or damage to property by making this call before you dig. It’s the law.
How do I convert to natural gas?
If your home heating bills send chills down your spine, you should look into converting to clean, efficient and economical natural gas heat. Call 732-938-1143 or e-mail us at customerservice@njng.com to find out more about switching to natural gas.
If you are also interested in financing your switch to natural gas heat, be sure to inquire about the current conversion loan program. If you're already a natural gas heat customer, consider converting other appliances like your clothes dryer, water heater and range to natural gas. It's easier than you think!
If you decide to convert your heating system or any appliance to natural gas, please let us know. This helps us plan ahead so we can deliver reliable service to all of our customers on even the coldest winter days.
How do I read my bill?
Click here for an explanation and illustration of your bill.
Why is my bill so high this month?
Higher than “normal” bills occur for various reasons. Consider the following factors, which may contribute to increased consumption.
- Clogged filters
- New or additional appliances may have been added
- Faulty gas appliances or thermostats
- Previous low estimated readings
- Incorrect reading or estimate
- High ceilings
- Poor insulation
- Damper left open on a fireplace
- Higher rates
- Changes in weather conditions
- Most thermostats can be lowered only to 50 degrees. If the temperature should drop below 50 in the house, the furnace will come on. The colder outside temperature, the longer the furnace will run to maintain the temperature inside.
- Changes in normal living habits due to an illness or increase in family size
- Leaks in your hot water system or a dripping faucet
- Increased usage during a holiday or special occasion
How do I read my gas meter?
Reading your gas meter is easy! We use two kinds of meters for residential customers. One is a direct dial meter that can be read like a digital clock. The most common type of meter has dials. Click here for more information.
How do I know if New Jersey Natural Gas has read my meter?
This information is found on the upper left side of your bill under CURRENT METER READING IS. If the word “Actual” is in that box, then we did read the meter that month. If the word, “Calculated” is there, then the bill was estimated that month.
What are my payment options?
You can pay your NJNG bill online, by phone, by mail, in person or automatically with a debit to your checking or savings account. We now offer credit/debit card payments through a service provided by Princeton eCom.
Do you offer a budget plan?
Yes. You can help balance your home energy bills by joining the NJNG Budget Plan. You’ll pay your anticipated yearly natural gas costs in 12 equal payments. You'll know what your payment will be every month. If you wish to join the Budget Plan, just pay the “Budget Option” amount that appears on your monthly bill along with any other non-gas charges by the payment due date. Click here for additional information.
When does my budget renew?
Our budget plan year is from August through July. At the end of the budget year, we calculate your total natural gas usage and compare it to the total amount of budget charges billed to date. We then either credit your NJNG account, or bill you for the balance due. Credits will be applied to your NJNG account, which will be reflected in your August bill. If there is a balance due, you have the option of paying it in full or adding the balance to the next budget plan year. Your budget option is then re-calculated and automatically renewed for the next budget plan year. Click here for additional information.
Why did my budget change in mid-year?
A mid-year review based on your natural gas usage and anticipated costs will determine if your payment amount needs to be adjusted. This adjustment helps minimize large debit or credit balances at the end of the budget plan year.
What do the “Other Charges” on my budget summary mean?
Any other charges on your natural gas bill other than energy charges.
Can I pay more than my budget amount due?
Paying more than the budget amount due creates incorrect budget information. If you pay more, it is necessary to contact our business office so we can make an adjustment to ensure the account balances correctly.
Why did my budget option change during the months of November, December and January?
Our budget period is from August through July. Your budget amount is based on your anticipated natural gas costs spread evenly over 12 months. You can join the budget at any time; however, if you do so in the middle of the budget period, you will not have made 12 months of payments. To compensate for that missed time, your budget option may increase in November, December and January to ensure that when you join, the forecasted payments reflect your energy use.
What is ZipCheck and how can it benefit me?
ZipCheck is a safe, convenient way to automatically pay your NJNG monthly bill. With your authorization, the total amount due will be electronically deducted from your checking or savings account on the due date shown on your bill. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your bill is paid on time each and every month. There are no checks to write, no stamps to buy and no sign-up fees to pay.
How do I enroll in ZipCheck and how long does it take
You have two choices:
(1) Login to My Account Information and enroll online
OR:
(2) Print and complete the ZipCheck form and mail it to:
ZipCheck
New Jersey Natural Gas Processing Department
PO Box 1476
Wall, NJ 07719-9970From the receipt of your enrollment request, it can take up to 10 calendar days to process your enrollment. Continue to pay your bill as you have in the past until your NJNG bill states: “Paid by ZipCheck.”
What if I change my mind and want to cancel my ZipCheck enrollment?
You can cancel ZipCheck at anytime. Login to My Account Information and choose Deactivate ZipCheck on the ZipCheck status screen.
If your current bill amount was already sent to your bank for payment, it cannot be stopped. The deactivation will become effective with your next bill.
Can I enroll in ZipCheck if I have more than one NJNG account?
Yes, however you have to enroll separately for each NJNG account. You can enroll each account online at My Account Information or print and complete a ZipCheck form for each account and mail form to:
ZipCheck
New Jersey Natural Gas Processing Dept.
PO Box 1476
Wall, NJ 07719-9970Please note, once received, it will take 10 calendar days to process your request.
What if my account number changes or I change banks?
You can update your account information by either logging in to My Account Information and choose Change My Bank Information on the ZipCheck Status Screen, or print and complete a ZipCheck form for each account and mail forms to:
ZipCheck
New Jersey Natural Gas Processing Dept.
PO Box 1476
Wall, NJ 07719-9970Please note, once received, it will take 10 calendar days to process your request.
Is there a fee if my ZipCheck auto debit payment is returned not paid?
Yes, a $10 charge will be added to your account for each payment returned by the bank for insufficient funds, stopped payment or if the authorization is revoked by the customer.
How can I lower my energy costs?
Conserve energy.* During the summer months, we encourage homeowners to arrange for an inspection of all of their home appliances – especially heating and water-heating equipment – to make sure they work efficiently and safely. Some people may also want to get a home energy audit, which will pinpoint ways to make the home more energy-efficient (such as adding storm windows or sealing leaky doors). You may also qualify for FREE energy conservation and weatherization services from the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).
Replace aging appliances.* Consumers who have aging natural gas furnaces and water heaters should consider replacing them with new units, which use fuel more efficiently. High-efficiency units cost more to buy, but they save money over the long run. For example, by buying a high-efficiency (93 percent efficiency rating) natural gas furnace instead of a conventional unit (78 percent efficiency rating), an average homeowner could save $135 per year in energy bills. (SOURCE: American Gas Association) Rebates on high efficiency units are also available.
Request special assistance. Customers who truly cannot afford to pay some or all of their natural gas bills should contact NJNG for information about the HEAP program, our Gift of Warmth program and other fuel assistance funds. NJNG will work closely with any customer who needs help paying their natural gas bill.
For further information, go to the Payment Assistance area of our Web site.
*Consult with a licensed appliance repair contractor.
Are there any resources available that can help if I am having trouble paying my gas bills?
NJNG encourages customers facing financial hardship to apply for energy assistance. We want you to know that you are not alone and help may be just a phone call away.
Programs are available to help low-income households as well as customers experiencing temporary or unanticipated difficulties, such as unemployment or illness.
For further information, go to the Payment Assistance area of our Web site.
Can I look for a better price than NJNG’s and purchase my gas from another supplier?
Yes. Deregulation in New Jersey has brought about competition in the energy industry. NJNG can provide you with a list of suppliers so you can contact them directly to find out if they can offer you a better price for your supply of natural gas. You can also view supplier offers posted on our Web site by clicking here.
If you do consider purchasing your gas from a third-party supplier, please keep in mind that those companies, too, are trying to get a good price – but even they may not be able to get a better price than the local utility.
Why did New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) decrease Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) prices on October 1?
The recent downward trend of national wholesale natural gas prices has allowed NJNG to pass these savings on to customers through lower prices. As a regulated utility in New Jersey, the BGSS covers the cost of natural gas used by our customers and purchased by and delivered to NJNG on the wholesale market. NJNG makes no profit from this charge. As authorized by the regulators, we simply pass this cost through to our customers.
The price decrease will lower an average winter natural gas bill to $252.80 a month, down $18.28 from the current price. On an annual basis, the average monthly bill will drop to $156.72, down $11.15, or 6.6 percent.
NJNG remains committed to meeting your expectations for reliability and value every day. We continue to offer customers help with managing their natural gas bills through our Budget Plan, energy saving tips and energy assistance programs.
Why did New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) decrease Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) prices on November 1?
The recent downward trend of national wholesale natural gas prices, lower-than-expected pipeline fuel costs and reduced demand charges has allowed NJNG to pass these savings on to customers through lower prices. As a regulated utility in New Jersey, the BGSS covers the cost of natural gas used by our customers and purchased by and delivered to NJNG on the wholesale market. NJNG makes no profit from this charge. As authorized by the regulators, NJNG simply passes this cost through to our customers.
The price decrease will lower the bill of a typical residential customer using 100 therms a month from $158.11 to $151.84, down $6.27 or 4 percent.
NJNG remains committed to meeting your expectations for reliability and value every day. We continue to offer customers help with managing their natural gas bills through our Budget Plan, energy saving tips and energy assistance programs.
What other price changes are effective on November 1, 2006?
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) recently approved an increase to the Universal Service Fund (USF) statewide rate. Also, the Market Development Fund (MDF) is being eliminated on October 31, 2006 (this has no effect on the total billing rates for sales customers).
What is the Universal Service Fund (USF), who is affected by the USF increase and what is the impact?
The USF was established by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to help income-eligible households pay for electric and natural gas service. The USF is a component of the Societal Benefits Charge (SBC). All of NJNG’s firm and interruptible customers will have an increase to their delivery charge of $0.0139 per therm or 0.9 percent increase to an average residential heating customer’s total bill.
What is the Market Development Fund (MDF), who is affected by its elimination and what is the impact?
Through the MDF, Residential Transportation (RT) and Small Commercial Rebundled (SCR) customers have received a transportation rate incentive for many years. Because this rate incentive made the unadjusted delivery rates for sales and transport customers different, NJNG’s tariff contained a reclassification to synchronize the rates to be equal and allow the BGSS rate to represent the Price to Compare for customers who were comparison shopping in the wholesale market. RT and SCR customers being served on Third-Party Supplier (TPS) consolidated billing also have received a monthly billing credit of $0.70 per customer funded through the MDF in addition to the established $0.30 per customer.
Effective November 1, 2006, the RT and SCR delivery rates will increase since the RT rate incentive of $0.025 per therm and the SCR incentive of $0.020 per therm will be removed from RT and SCR prices. The tariff reclass will still exist but will be reduced to $0.0062 per therm to cover the value of underlying state tax differentials and still allow the BGSS rate to be the Price to Compare. Also effective November 1, 2006, the monthly billing credit for customers served on TPS consolidated billing will revert to $0.30.
How does the elimination of the Market Development Fund impact Residential Sales Customers?
The Residential Basic Gas Supply Charge (BGS) will be reduced by the value of the RT rate incentive ($0.025 per therm). The Residential Delivery Charge will be increased by the value of the RT rate incentive. The adjustments offset each other resulting in no impact to residential sales customers’ total bills.
What is the combined impact of the BGSS decrease, USF increase and elimination of the MDF to Residential Sales Customers?
The combined impact of the BGSS decrease, USF increase and elimination of the MDF results in a total per-therm decrease of $0.0488, or 3.1 percent decrease to an average residential heating customer’s total bill.
Has NJNG filed for additional price changes?
Yes. On October 25, 2006, NJNG filed a request with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to increase its Weather Normalization Clause (WNC) rate and its Societal Benefits Charge (SBC) effective January 1, 2007 on a provisional basis. These rates can be implemented only if we receive approval from the BPU. The change will enable NJNG to recover its weather-related deficits from October 2005 through May 2006, and meet BPU mandated funding contributions for the state’s Clean Energy Program. Under its filing, NJNG is seeking minor increases to the rates for the Transportation Initiation Clause (TIC) and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP) and a decrease to the Remediation Adjustment (RA). The combined proposed charges would result in a 1.6 percent increase upon BPU approval.
Did NJNG issue a Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) refund in March 2007?
Yes. On March 1, NJNG provided notification to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities regarding its plan to issue a total of $20 million in BGSS refunds to residential and small commercial sales customers (Periodic BGSS), who were active as of October 1, 2006, in March 2007. The BGSS refund for the average residential heating customer is estimated to be approximately $47, representing a 3 percent decrease to an average residential customer’s total annual bill. The refund will appear in the center of the customer’s bill as a separate line showing a one-time refund based upon usage for the period October 1, 2006 and January 31, 2007. The amount will be deducted from the total service period charges. As a regulated utility, our BGSS price is set to cover only the costs associated with the natural gas purchased for our customers with no markup on the wholesale price. NJNG makes no profit from this charge. We simply pass this cost through to our customers. NJNG remains committed to meeting your expectations for reliability and value every day. We offer customers help with managing their natural gas bills through our Budget Plan, energy saving tips and energy assistance programs.
How will a customer who closed his account after October 1, 2006 receive a Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) refund issued on March 1, 2007?
If a customer’s account is closed after October 1, 2006, the refund will be based upon the time period the customer was active for the period October 1, 2006 and January 31, 2007. If there is no balance due on the closed account, a check will be sent to the last known mailing address on the account. If the refund is greater than the unpaid balance, the credit will be used to satisfy the balance, and any remainder will be sent by check to the last known mailing address on the account. Customers who may not have provided NJNG with a forwarding address at the time of their account closing, should notify NJNG of their current mailing address via e-mail at customerservice@njng.com, or by calling the CustomerService Inquiry Center at 1-800-221-0051.
Will sales customers who switched to a to a third-party supplier, or were switched to Monthly Basic Gas Supply Service (BGSS) between October 1, 2006 and January 31, 2007 receive a refund?
Yes. For sales customers who have switched to a third-party supplier, or were switched to Monthly BGSS between October 1, 2006 and January 31, 2007, their refund amount will be prorated for the time period they were a Periodic BGSS customer.
Beacon Technologies, Inc.
