Texans have benefitted from oil and natural gas ever since Lyne T. Barret drilled the Lone Star State’s first oil well at Melrose in Nacogdoches County way back in 1866.Texans have economically exploited oil and natural gas ever since Lyne T. Barret drilled the Lone Star State’s first oil well at Melrose in Nacogdoches County way back in 1866.
Texas gas services have come a long way since Melrose. Nowadays, Texas is the top producer of crude oil and natural gas in the U.S.
Whether you’re moving to Texas, curious about natural gas, or want to know more about your utility bills, this guide answers the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Texas gas service.
After all, it’s only when you understand your gas bill or electricity bill that you can learn how to reduce your energy costs. As it turns out, natural gas is a lot more than just space heating.
Who Provides the Most Reliable Natural Gas Service in Texas?
The first thing to note about Texas gas service is that connected residential properties are all supplied by a natural gas utility — and there is no choice.
Texas has several service areas, and various companies look after different areas. You can’t choose who provides natural gas to your home, so it could be one of these utilities or a municipality:
- Atmos Energy distributes natural gas in much of Texas’ north and panhandle
- CenterPoint Energy covers much of eastern Texas
- Texas Gas Service is the third-largest natural gas distribution company in Texas, covering Austin, El Paso, and other areas
There are more utilities for other areas. For example, CPS Energy for San Antonio and West Texas Gas. Check out the Austin Chamber of Commerce website for the complete list of natural gas providers.
What Are the Benefits of Natural Gas at Home?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2015, natural gas was installed for use in 58% of American homes. Furthermore, using 2019 figures, natural gas accounted for 44% of residential energy consumption; it’s a sizeable chunk of the U.S. home energy market.
Natural gas is versatile and can be piped into your home from the street or stored in canisters for use where required. People use natural gas for a variety of daily functions, including:
- Cooking (ovens, stoves, ranges, and grills)
- Clothes dryers
- Air conditioning
- Heating water for showers, washing up, and laundry
- Patio heaters, pool heaters, fireplaces, and fire pits
- Freezers and refrigerators
A natural gas-powered home is attractive to buyers and might even make it sell quicker. The National Association of Home Builders found that newly-built homes with connected natural gas sold more quickly and at around 6% more than homes with electrical power only.
Not every neighborhood can access Texas gas services though, so check with your local utility for their service area. Some homes in areas with street gas available are not connected to the street supply. Your gas supplier can help assess connection costs.
How Do I Switch to a Texas Gas Service Provider?
You need to contact your new area’s gas provider if you’re moving to (or within) Texas. Before doing that, you must also contact your current gas provider to settle any outstanding bills or claim any rebates due to you.
Your new Texas gas provider will ask for certain documents such as proof of identity, address, and details of how you wish to pay your utility bills.
Call your Texas gas service provider if your home is not connected to the street’s natural gas supply. They can help with installation guidance and costs. As a general rule of thumb, costs increase the farther away your house is from the connection pipelines.
How Can I Pay My Natural Gas Bill?
Most Texas gas services offer various payment options. These include mailing a check, internet payments via a mobile app, automated payments through credit cards, and pay stations.
Contact your Texas gas service customer service to go through the options and find the one best suited to your lifestyle. It’s essential to contact your Texas gas service as soon as possible if you think you may fall behind with payments.
Some people may be eligible for help with energy bills. Contact Project BRAVO for more information.
Is Natural Gas Dangerous to Use in the Home?
Natural gas is highly flammable and requires safe handling. Natural gas is odorless, but gas companies add a substance called mercaptan that gives it its distinct rotten egg smell. The odor is one of the ways we can tell there may be a natural gas leak.
It’s safe to use natural gas at home as long as you take proper precautions. Make sure you call your Texas gas service or 811 before digging in your yard or garden. You don’t want to strike a buried pipeline and cause a leak or potential explosion.
Always turn gas appliances off when not in use. Maintain your devices, too, and have them regularly inspected by qualified professionals. Keep all furnaces and vent spaces clean and clear of obstructions.
Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home to detect this odorless and potentially lethal gas. Over 400 people die annually in the United States due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 50,000 visit the emergency room for the same reason every year.
What Should I Do If I Find a Natural Gas Leak?
There are several ways you may become suspicious of a gas leak in or near your home. Once you have safely secured the suspected leakage area, report all suspected gas leaks to your Texas gas service or emergency services on 911.
Here are some signs there may be a natural gas leak:
- Sulfurous or rotten egg smell
- Constant whistling or hissing noise
- Seeing a damaged gas pipe or line
- Standing water with bubbles
- Plants in certain areas are dead or dying
- Dust or white clouds blow around in an enclosed space
One or several of these signs may be present when there’s a natural gas leak. You should always report any suspected gas leak, even if just one of these indicators shows.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Gas Leak?
Natural gas is flammable, so you must avoid creating sparks. Potential ignitions include lighting a match, using electrical appliances — including cell phones and electrical land lines — smoking, and turning light switches or power sockets on or off.
As soon as you suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately, leave doors and windows open, and head to a safe location. Call emergency services or your Texas gas service as soon as you feel safe. Don’t worry if you don’t have your Texas gas service phone number; you can call 911.
Always report any suspected natural gas leak. It’s far better to be safe than sorry.
Should I Switch My Business to Texas Gas Services?
There is some deregulation around Texas gas services for businesses. Rules vary as to what is possible — the best advice is to contact your local Texas gas service to talk about options. You’ll need to know your approximate monthly and annual natural gas usage.
How Is Natural Gas Distributed Around Texas?
Texas’ extensive oil and natural gas reserves mean that its pipelines don’t just serve Lone Star State residents. It can be confusing to map out every interested player, so let’s look at one distribution network to illustrate how the market works.
The aforementioned Texas Gas Services is owned by One Gas Inc., which in turn is part of ONEOK, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
One Gas is a natural gas distribution service that moves natural gas around several U.S. states. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, and wholesale customers. One Gas Inc. is not a public utility but an investor-owned utility, or IOU.
One Gas Inc.’s divisions include Oklahoma Natural Gas and Kansas Gas Service, the largest in Kansas, and Texas Gas Service.
Who Sets Natural Gas Prices for Customers in Texas?
Each utility sets its prices for natural gas, but local authorities must approve them. Should they not agree, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) steps in as part of its role in monitoring prices. The RRC’s remit includes:
- Ensuring a safe supply of natural gas to Texas customers
- Keeping costs to the lowest reasonable level
- Overseeing an efficient, reliable natural gas utility service to Texas citizens
- Publishing natural gas utility tariffs, resolving complaints, and reviewing non-contested filings
While you cannot control the price of your Texas gas services, there are regulators in place working to promote a fair deal for customers.
Is the Texas Energy Market Deregulated?
Yes, Texas’ energy market is deregulated, but not entirely and not always at the point of service. That means that residential customers cannot always choose their natural gas or electricity supplier.
Deregulation in Texas’ natural gas market has allowed different utilities to operate in various Texas gas service sector areas. However, residential customers have no choice in who supplies their natural gas.
Texas electricity market’s deregulation has had a much more profound effect on customer choice. Around 85% of Lone Star State residents can choose their electricity supplier.
We’ve produced several guides to help you with your electric utilities if you’re moving or curious to find out more:
- Moving to San Antonio
- Moving to Dallas
- Moving to Houston
Amigo Energy is part of a larger energy family called Just Energy, in much the same way that ONEOK owns Texas Gas Services. You can check if Just Energy can provide your Texas gas service or electricity by popping in your ZIP code in Just Energy’s service finder.
Live outside Texas? No problem. You can also enter your ZIP code to see if Just Energy offers electricity or gas services in your area. Just Energy has been providing tailored energy solutions since 1997, pioneering flexible and competitive pricing that includes renewable and clean energy options.
Why Should I Switch My Electricity Supplier?
Many great electricity offers are available that could help you save energy — and money — on your utility bills.
Here at Amigo Energy, we have fixed-rate electricity deals so you can plan your home’s monthly budget based on your energy use. We also have free electricity at night offers, perfect for night owls or people who want to use dishwashers, washing machines, or charge electric vehicles overnight. Plus, our green energy plan allows you to enjoy your lifestyle while assisting in the fight against climate change.
We think our deals and customer service are among the best. But don’t just take our word for it. You can find our contracts, and many more, on the regulated, unbiased Power to Choose website to give you extra confidence in Amigo Energy services.
Getting the Most From Your Texas Gas Service Provider
You cannot choose your Texas gas service or shop around for lower natural gas prices for your home. However, your Texas gas provider often offers much more than a simple gas supply.
Once you know who your Texas gas service provider is, contact them for support. They may be able to offer energy-saving tips, find a payment plan suited to your evolving lifestyle, or visit your home to check and maintain a safe gas supply.
And remember that most Texans can choose their electricity supplier thanks to the deregulated market. Contact Amigo Energy for more information.
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