How-to
How to Read Your Natural Gas Bill (Therms, CCF and Charges)
🇩🇪 Diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesenGas is measured in CCF (100 cubic feet) or therms; one CCF is roughly one therm. Your bill combines a supply charge for the gas itself, delivery charges for the pipelines and a fixed customer charge. Divide your total bill by the therms used to get your all-in price — and divide that by 29.3 to compare with electricity per kWh.
Gas bills can look confusing, especially when units and charges change from month to month. A few minutes with your bill shows where the money goes.
Step by step
- Find your usage
Look for CCF or therms used. Many bills show a 12-month chart.
- Check the conversion
Some utilities bill in CCF and convert to therms with a factor close to 1. The bill shows the factor used.
- Separate fixed and variable costs
The customer charge stays the same even in summer when you use little gas.
- Calculate your all-in price
Divide the total bill by the therms used for your real price per therm.
- Convert to kWh
Divide the price per therm by 29.3 to get the price per kWh of gas energy.
- Compare months and years
Compare the same month year over year; large jumps with similar weather may indicate equipment problems or rate changes.
Typical line items
| Item | What it means |
|---|---|
| Customer charge | Fixed monthly fee |
| Supply / commodity | The cost of the gas itself, often adjusted monthly |
| Delivery / distribution | Pipelines and local infrastructure |
| Riders and taxes | Programs, adjustments and local taxes |
Compare gas and electric heating
Convert your gas price to a price per kWh and compare with a heat pump:
Heat Pump vs. Gas Furnace Cost CalculatorCompare yearly running costs side by sideTry the calculator →Frequently asked questions
Why is my gas bill higher in winter even with the same rates?
Heating uses far more gas than cooking and water heating, and some utilities apply seasonal supply prices.
Can I choose my gas supplier?
In some states, yes. The local utility still delivers the gas; only the supply portion changes.