Honestly, looking at your natural gas bill in Georgia can feel a bit like reading a foreign language. You see "therms," "AGL base charges," and "customer service fees," and suddenly that "cheap" rate you signed up for doesn't look so cheap anymore. If you're living in the Peach State, you're part of a unique energy experiment. Georgia is one of the few states that deregulated its natural gas market back in the late '90s.
This means you don't just get gas from a utility company. You shop for it.
Right now, natural gas rates in Georgia are hovering in a weird spot. As of January 2026, we’re seeing fixed rates anywhere from $0.649 to $0.799 per therm for standard 12-month plans. But don't let those numbers fool you. There is a massive gap between the "teaser" rates and what you’ll actually pay once the honeymoon phase is over.
The Trap of the Introductory Variable Rate
We’ve all seen the ads. A marketer offers an "Introductory Variable Rate" of maybe $0.39 or $0.48 per therm. It looks like a steal.
It’s a lure.
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These rates usually last exactly one or two billing cycles. Once that period ends, you are automatically shifted to the "Standard Variable Rate." In Georgia, these standard rates are currently sitting as high as $2.09 to $2.49 per therm. That is a 400% jump. You might think you're being savvy by avoiding a contract, but you’re actually sitting on a ticking financial time bomb.
If you aren't the type of person who puts a "Switch Gas Provider" alert on your calendar every 30 days, avoid these like the plague.
Understanding the "True" Cost Per Therm
When you're comparing natural gas rates in Georgia, you have to look past the per-therm price. Every bill in the Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) territory—which covers most of the state—includes a Pass-Through Charge. This isn't money going to your provider (like SCANA or Gas South); it’s money going to AGL for maintaining the pipes.
This charge changes every month.
It's based on something called the Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC). Basically, AGL looks at how much gas your home could use on the coldest day of the year and charges you based on that "peak demand" potential. Even if you turn your furnace off and go to Florida for the winter, you’re still paying that base charge.
Current Market Leaders (January 2026)
If you are shopping today, here is the rough landscape of what's actually available:
- Constellation: They’ve been aggressive lately, offering 12-month fixed plans around $0.649 per therm. Their customer service charge is usually about $6.95.
- Georgia Natural Gas (GNG): Usually sits a bit higher, around $0.699 per therm, but they often bundle in "Greener Life" credits or 5-cent-per-therm discounts for seniors and military.
- SCANA Energy: They are currently competitive at $0.689 to $0.699 for 12-18 month terms.
- Gas South: Often stays around $0.770 per therm but they are big on "No Deposit" plans, which is a lifesaver if your credit score is in the "working on it" phase.
Why 2026 is Different for Georgia Consumers
The energy market isn't what it was two years ago. We are seeing a massive increase in demand for natural gas to power data centers across the Southeast. On top of that, the U.S. is exporting record amounts of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Europe and Asia.
More demand means higher prices for you.
The Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) monitors these marketers, but they don't set the prices. The market does. Expert forecasts for 2026 suggest that while production is up, the "Henry Hub" spot price—the benchmark for what providers pay—is expected to stay volatile.
If you see a fixed rate under $0.70 right now, it’s probably the best you’re going to get for a while.
Fixed vs. Variable: The Only Debate That Matters
The "Variable" crowd likes the freedom. No cancellation fees. No commitments.
But in Georgia, variable rates are almost always a losing game. The "Apples-to-Apples" comparison provided by the PSC consistently shows that fixed-rate customers pay significantly less over a 12-month period.
Most fixed plans come with an Early Termination Fee (ETF). These range from $50 to $200.
Is it worth it? Usually, yes. If you lock in a rate of $0.65 in the fall and the market spikes to $1.50 in February because of a "Polar Vortex," that $100 ETF is pennies compared to the hundreds you'd save on your winter heating bills.
Actionable Steps to Lower Your Georgia Gas Bill
Don't just complain about the bill; manipulate the system. Here is how you actually win:
- Check your "Plan Expiration" date today. Most people get rolled onto a "Standard Variable Rate" without realizing it because their 12-month contract ended. This is where marketers make their biggest profits.
- Use the PSC Price Map. Go to the Georgia Public Service Commission website and look for the "Market Index." It is a PDF updated monthly that shows every single provider's current rates side-by-side. It’s the only way to see the "Standard Variable" prices they try to hide.
- Shop in the "Shoulder Months." April and October are the sweet spots. Demand is low, the weather is mild, and marketers are desperate to sign people up before the peak seasons hit.
- Ask for a "Senior Discount." If you are 65 or older, almost every major marketer in Georgia offers a $10 to $14 monthly discount on the AGL base charge. That’s over $120 a year for just making a phone call.
- Audit your DDDC. If you’ve upgraded to a high-efficiency furnace or added insulation, you can contact AGL to request a recalculation of your base charge factor, though this is usually done annually in the fall.
Stop paying the "procrastination tax." If you haven't switched providers or renewed your contract in the last 12 months, you are almost certainly paying too much for your natural gas. Take ten minutes, grab your latest bill, and compare it against the current $0.65-$0.70 benchmark. If you're paying more, it's time to move.