Natural Gas Switching in NYC: Can You Save Money Like You Can With Electricity?

Yes, you can switch gas suppliers too

Most people know they can switch electricity suppliers in New York. Fewer realize the same rules apply to natural gas. You can choose your gas supplier independently from your delivery utility.

The same logic applies: your utility (National Grid or ConEd) still delivers gas through the pipes. But you can buy the gas itself from a licensed gas supplier. The delivery doesn't change. The supply charge on your bill (the cost of the gas itself, not the delivery) does.

Gas switching works. It's regulated. And in the right circumstances, it saves money. But the savings picture is different from electricity, and worth understanding before you make any decisions.

How natural gas deregulation works in NYC

New York opened its natural gas market to competition alongside electricity in the late 1990s. The mechanism is the same as for electricity: your utility owns the pipes and handles delivery, but a separate company (a retail gas supplier) can sell you the gas itself.

In NYC, two utilities handle gas delivery depending on where you live:

• Con Edison (ConEd): Serves most of Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Queens and Westchester.
• National Grid: Serves Brooklyn, Staten Island, and parts of Queens and Long Island.

Your delivery utility doesn't change when you switch suppliers. National Grid still maintains the pipes in Brooklyn whether you buy gas from them or from a third party. Same with ConEd in Manhattan.

If you have a gas emergency, you still call your utility. That's not the supplier's job. Ever.

Gas switching vs. electricity switching: what's different

A few important differences from electricity switching:

The savings ceiling is lower. For electricity, the cost of the electricity itself can represent 40-50% of your total bill. For gas, the cost of the gas itself is a larger fraction of a smaller total bill. The math still works, but the dollar amounts are more modest.

Seasonal volatility. Gas prices spike in winter. If you're on a variable rate (a price that can change every month with no cap) and a cold snap hits, your bill can jump significantly. A fixed rate locks in your price for the contract term and is generally the better option for budget-conscious households.

The supplier market is smaller. Fewer suppliers compete for gas customers than for electricity customers in NYC. This reduces competition somewhat. The deals aren't as aggressive as on the electricity side.

Usage patterns matter more. High gas users (homes with gas heat, gas dryers, gas cooking) see more meaningful savings than low users (apartments with just a gas stove). If your monthly gas bill is under $30, the switching math may not be compelling.

Current gas suppliers available in NYC

As of early 2026, the following licensed retail natural gas suppliers serve NYC residential customers. Rates change monthly, so treat these as a starting framework rather than live quotes.

• Constellation Energy: One of the largest retail energy suppliers in the US. Offers fixed-rate gas plans. Serves both ConEd and National Grid territory.
• National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF): Primarily focused on energy efficiency, but offers gas commodity supply.
• Verde Energy: Offers both conventional and green gas (biogas) options. Available in NYC.
• Residents Energy: Competitive fixed and variable rate options for residential gas customers.
• XOOM Energy: Part of NRG Energy. Offers residential gas supply with various plan structures.

The PSC's EnergySmart NY comparison tool at psc.ny.gov is the most current source for licensed suppliers and their rates. We recommend checking there directly before switching.

Is it worth it? An honest assessment

The honest answer is: sometimes, and less predictably than electricity.

For electricity, the savings case is usually clear. Multiple suppliers consistently price below ConEd's standard supply rate, especially for green energy. The math is easy to see.

For gas, the picture is more mixed. Current market conditions (as of early 2026) show some suppliers offering rates 5-12% below utility default rates. That's real savings, but modest for most households. A $100 monthly gas bill might save you $7-12 per month, or $84-144 annually.

Is that worth the 10 minutes to switch? Probably yes. Is it a dramatic financial win? No.

Where gas switching makes more sense: homes with gas heat, high-usage months in winter, and situations where you can lock in a fixed rate before cold weather sends prices up.

Green gas options: the honest take

Renewable natural gas (RNG), also called biomethane or biogas, is real. It's produced from decomposing organic matter: landfills, agricultural waste, wastewater treatment. When injected into the natural gas grid, it offsets conventional gas use.

The honest caveats:

• RNG availability in NYC is genuinely limited. Supply is constrained. This isn't marketing spin.
• Green gas options typically cost 10-25% more than conventional supply. The premium is real.
• Verification of RNG sourcing varies by supplier. Ask for documentation before paying a premium.
• If green gas is important to you, Verde Energy currently offers RNG-sourced supply in NYC. Verify current availability and pricing before switching.

Green electricity options are currently more competitive and more accessible in NYC. If environmental impact is the goal, switching to green electricity is often the higher-leverage move.

How to read your gas bill to find your current rate

Before comparing suppliers, you need your current supply rate. Here's where to find it:

• Log in to your utility account online (coned.com or nationalgridus.com)
• Find the billing detail section for a recent bill
• Look for "Gas Supply Charges" or "Commodity" in the bill breakdown
• The supply charge in dollars divided by your therms used gives you your effective supply rate per therm

Your utility's standard supply rate for early 2026 is roughly $0.65-0.75 per therm^{(EIA, March 2026)}, though this varies by season and usage tier. Write it down. That's your baseline for supplier comparisons.