Part 3: Maximizing Your Benefit

Check List

• Step 1: Start by knowing your utility’s price to compare. This will let you know immediately if the supplier’s price is better or not. [Our Recommendation – Choose a lower price.]
• Step 2: Determine the price structure you want – fixed or variable. There are benefits to each at different times of year. [Our Recommendation – go with a fixed rate. Unless you can get a variable rate that is ALWAYS lower than the price to compare.]
• Step 3: Determine the term length you feel comfortable with. [Our Recommendation – Choose a 12 months as it allows for predictability, but flexibility.]
• Step 4: Evaluate offers for monthly, cancelation, and enrollment fees and weigh cost / benefit. [Our Recommendation – Choose an offer that has no fees at all.]
• Step 5: Choose features and benefits that appeal to you. [Our Recommendation – Choose an offer that provides you benefits up front for signing up.]
• Step 6: Sign up! [Our Recommendation – Take detailed notes of your new natural gas price, when your plan starts, and when it will end. Create a reminder for you to change your rate when your term runs out.]

Having a checklist like this one it helps you think logically through the process. It’s easy to see the benefits a supplier is claiming to offer you and forget that you need a great price and should avoid fees. The best part of having a checklist is that each time you shop for natural you can repeat this process to help manage your natural bills!