Glosario de términos de facturación

Account Number: Your unique customer account identifier. This account number will remain with a customer even if the customer relocates to another address within Nicor Gas territory. When you contact us, please provide us with this account number.
Bill Issue Date: The date the bill is processed.
Bill Period: The dates used to calculate a bill inclusive of the previous meter reading and current meter reading dates.
Meter Number: The number that identifies the meter.
New Charges: The total gas cost, utility service charges, additional products and service charges and taxes for this billing period.
Payment(s): The payment amount(s) applied to your account since your last statement, and the dates we applied them.
Previous Balance: Your total account balance from your previous bill.
Remaining Balance: The account balance remaining after your payment(s) was received.
Service Address: The address where we deliver natural gas to your home or business.
Total Amount Due: The amount that you now owe after we apply any taxes, adjustments and/or prior payments to your account. After the due date listed, your payment would be past due.

Additional Products & Services

Non-utility charges such as Customer Select alternate supplier charges, or HVAC warranty/repair or protection plans.

Adjustment Detail

Adjustments such as credits or additional charges to your bill due to corrected billing, earned interest or finance charges, LIHEAP or Sharing grants and deposits.

Average Temperature

Average daily temperature during your billing period. The average temperature is a determining factor in the amount of gas used throughout the month.

Budget Plan

This plan spreads your estimated annual gas costs over 12 monthly payments. Approximately every four months we evaluate your account and adjust your monthly payment for changes in weather and/or the price of gas. If you build a credit balance on your account, you will receive earned credit. If you have a debit balance, a finance charge will be assessed. Staying current on your payments will result in favorable reporting to credit bureaus. Sign up on your bill stub or in My Account. You must be current in your payments to sign up. Learn more about the Budget Plan.
Budget Plan Amount Due: The monthly Budget Plan payment amount due by the due date in order to remain current on your Budget Plan account.

Delivery Charges

These charges cover our fixed and variable operating and distribution costs. A portion of these charges varies from month to month based on your natural gas usage.

Customer Charge: A fixed monthly charge that covers administrative costs and expenses such as reading your meter, printing and mailing your bill. This charge is assessed even if you do not use natural gas.
Therm Usage/Distribution Charge: Covers our operating and gas distribution costs. It varies each month depending on the amount of natural gas that you use.
Customer Select Charge: Customer Select customers are assessed this charge based on usage. The charge may change each month and is filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
Environmental Recovery Cost: Covers our costs for the environmental investigation and cleanup of former manufactured gas plants. Nicor Gas receives no profit from these charges.
Franchise Cost: Covers our cost for municipal franchise agreements. Nicor Gas does not profit from this charge.
Governmental Agency Adjustment: This adjustment covers governmental fees and added costs, excluding franchise costs. This cost may change each month and is filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
Transportation Service Credit: A credit to Customer Select customers based on usage.

Energy Profile

Comparison between the current billing period and your gas usage for the same period last year as well as a chart showing your monthly gas usage, average temperature and gas supply charges for the past 12 months, when available.

Actual Meter Reading: Your meter was read by a Nicor Gas meter reader.
BTU Factor: A factor which expresses the amount of heat content a CCF of gas contains. The BTU factor is applied to convert a volume of gas in CCF into therms and may change slightly from month to month.
CCF (100 cubic feet): A measure of the volume of gas used. 1 CCF approximates 1 therm of gas.
Customer Read: You reported your meter reading to us.
Estimated Meter Reading: Your reading was estimated based on previous use and the weather. Every other month, we estimate most customers' meter readings. On your next bill, any difference from your actual use is automatically corrected when we take an actual meter reading.
Meter Exchange: If we exchanged your meter, this note means your bill is based on the reading of the meter we removed from your address.
Pressure Factor: If you require higher than normal gas pressure, the pressure factor is a multiplier that adjusts for increased gas volumes flowing through a meter.
Therm: A therm is the basic unit for measuring your natural gas consumption.

Learn how to read your meter.

Natural Gas Cost

The price we pay our suppliers for the natural gas we purchase and deliver to your home or business. The cost of gas is passed through to customers without markup. The price may change each calendar month and is filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

Payment Information

Auto Payment: You can have the amount of your gas bill electronically withdrawn from a checking or savings account on a specific date or when the bill is due. Sign up in My Account.
Credit Reporting: We report payments to credit bureaus. Payments more than 30 days past due may adversely affect your credit rating.
Other Options: Pay your bill by telephone or online. To pay with a credit card, call 1 888 642-6748. To find a local payment agent, see Pay your bill in person or call 1 888 642-6748.
Payment Arrangement: If you are behind on your gas bill payments, you may be eligible to establish a payment arrangement. To make a payment arrangement, visit My Account or call 1 888 642-6748.
Security Deposits: In accordance with the Illinois Administrative Code Part 280, Nicor Gas may request a cash security deposit under the following circumstances: history of late payments, failure to pay final bill at a prior address, service disconnection due to non-payment, meter tampering, or other reasons.
Sharing: A charitable program designed to help people pay their natural gas bills. To see if you could benefit from the Sharing Program, please contact your local Salvation Army. To contribute to Sharing, please check the appropriate box on your bill stub and add the amount to your payment. Learn more about the Nicor Gas Sharing Program.

Taxes

Municipal Use Tax: Some municipalities charge this tax based on your gas use. Your local municipality has an ordinance requiring collection of this tax.
Municipal Utility Tax: Some municipalities charge this tax based on utility revenue. It is authorized by Section 8-11-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code and is applied according to the local municipality's ordinance.
State Revenue Tax: This is mandated by the State of Illinois. It is not a sales tax.
State Use Tax: This tax is imposed on natural gas purchased outside of Illinois for use or consumption in Illinois.
Utility Fund Tax: This funds the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which regulates all Illinois utilities and is mandated by the state.