What Is the Average Gas Bill in Ohio?

Key Points of This Article:

• The average Ohio gas bill is about $49.34 per month, but actual costs vary widely depending on home size, location, and energy plan type.
• Programs like PIPP Plus assist low-income households by tying payments to a percentage of income, making energy costs more predictable.
• Gas bills in Ohio fluctuate mainly due to seasonal weather, home efficiency, daily habits, and changes in gas rates and delivery costs.

Why Do Gas Bills Fluctuate in Ohio? 

If your gas bill feels unpredictable, you're not alone. In Ohio, there are a few main reasons why the number changes from month to month. Here are some of the most reasons your Ohio gas bill fluctuates: 

• Weather and Seasons: Cold Ohio winters drive up heating use, while mild summers mean you use much less. A home might use anywhere from 8-12 times more gas in January than in July. More specifically, looking at our own Ohio customer data, we found that average usage in January (about 172 therms) is roughly ten times higher than in July (about 16 therms)!  

• Your Home's Efficiency: Older homes with drafty windows, thin insulation, or an aging furnace need more gas to stay warm. Newer or energy-efficient upgrades can keep bills lower. 

• Daily Habits: Long showers, frequent laundry loads, or turning the thermostat up just a few extra degrees all add to your usage and lead to a higher gas bill. 

• Gas Rates and Delivery Costs: Ohio homeowners feel the impact of two separate pressures: the changing market price of natural gas itself and the steady rise of delivery charges. Delivery costs fund utility infrastructure, maintenance, and safety operations, and these regulated charges are a major source of utility revenue. That's why even if gas prices drop, your overall bill may not fall as much as you expect. 

• Your Location: Where you live in Ohio can affect how much energy you use and how much you pay. Homes in northern regions, like Cleveland or Akron, typically see higher winter usage compared to southern areas with milder weather. 

• Your Energy Plan Type: Whether you're on a fixed-rate, variable-rate, or unlimited plan can make a big difference in how stable your bills are. A fixed rate plan promises you rate stability or an unlimited energy plan offers more predictability in your supply charge*, while a variable plan may rise or fall with market prices and lead to more risk. 

Some factors, like Ohio's winter weather, are out of your hands. But others, such as your plan choice and energy habits, are within your control to help keep bills steady. 

What Is the Average Gas Bill in Ohio? 

The average gas bill in Ohio comes out to about $49.34 per month.  

We've based our estimate on two key numbers: an average household consumption: 5,040 cubic feet of natural gas each month (about 5.04 MCF) and a residential gas rate: $9.79 per thousand cubic feet (MCF), from the most recent data from the U.S Energy Information Administration.  

When you multiply the two, you get an average bill of $49.34 

This figure helps put things in perspective. Keep in mind that it's an average for the year. Actual bills can be higher in winter months, when heating demand is much greater, and lower in summer, when gas use is mainly for water heating and cooking.  

In the same way, home efficiency, appliance age, and your choice of energy plan also plays big roles in whether your bill is above or below the average. 

It's also important to know what makes up that $49.34 bill. Across the U.S, the average natural gas bill is typically divided into three main parts: 41% covers the natural gas you actually use, around 51% goes toward delivery and system maintenance, and roughly 8% accounts for federal, state, and local taxes.  

Understanding this breakdown matters because it shows where you have flexibility. While delivery and taxes are typically fixed, the supply portion is where you can shop for the right plan to make your costs more predictable and potentially lower your monthly costs. 

The Average Gas Bill of a Santanna Energy Services Customer 

According to our real Santanna customer data, the average monthly gas bill is about $42, with customers using around 72.5 therms at an average rate of $0.58 per therm.  

That means many of our Ohio customers are keeping their bills around $6 lower than the state average; especially those in smaller, energy-efficient homes or those on fixed-rate plans that protect them from seasonal spikes. 

To give a clear comparison, we also modeled these same homes using the statewide average gas price of $9.79 per MCF.  

At this rate, the average monthly bill for Santanna customers living in a smaller Ohio homes (under 1,000 sq ft) would be around $48, while larger homes over 2,000 sq ft could reach $70-80 per month. These modeled results closely mirror statewide averages and show that home size alone can account for a difference of about $10–$30 per month in heating costs. 

Is a $300 Gas Bill Normal in Ohio? 

A $300 gas bill can definitely make you pause; but during Ohio's coldest months, it's not unheard of. Looking at our own Ohio customer data, less than 1% (about 0.7%) of customers have bills over $300 in a given month. 

Even in the coldest months in Ohio, from November to February, our customer data shows an average gas bill of about $94.  

But even homes of the same size can see big differences based on location and utility provider. From our own customer data, we found that average monthly bills vary by utility.  

During winter (November – February), our customers served by Enbridge Gas Ohio average about $97, those with Columbia Gas of Ohio around $91, and Duke Energy Gas customers around $78. That means, depending on your provider and service area, your bill could fluctuate by about 25%. 

So yes, a $300 gas bill in Ohio can be considered normal under the right conditions, especially in large or older homes during extreme cold. However, if you're seeing similar numbers in a smaller or newer home, it may be time to check your insulation, have your furnace inspected, or review your energy plan. 

What Gas Bill Assistance Programs Are Available in Ohio? 

One of the main programs available in Ohio is called the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus). This program is designed to make monthly energy bills more manageable for households with lower incomes. 

Instead of being billed for the full amount of gas or electricity you use each month, you pay a set portion of your household income. For natural gas and electricity, the payment is based on a small percentage of what your family earns each month. 

This approach helps keep utility costs predictable and affordable, especially during the high-use winter season. If your income qualifies, this program can ease the burden of energy costs while still keeping your service active. Just know that if you enroll in these energy bill assistant programs, you'll likely need to stay under your utility and won't be able to choose an alternative energy supplier. 

You can find full details and eligibility information here.  

How To Read and Understand Your Gas Bill 

Gas bills can look confusing, but once you know the parts, it makes a lot more sense. In Ohio, your bill is usually split into several key charges: 

• Supply Charges are the cost of the natural gas you actually use, measured in CCF, MCF or therms. This part of the bill is set by your supplier. If you don't choose a supplier, you'll pay the utility's default rate. 

• Delivery Charges are what your local utility charges to deliver the gas to your home, maintain the pipelines, and provide emergency service. This part of your bill stays the same if you choose an electric supplier and comes from your main utility. 

• Taxes and Fees include state and local taxes along with fixed service charges. These appear on your bill every month even if your usage is very low. 

• Riders or Adjustments are small extra charges that help cover specific costs such as pipeline upgrades, environmental programs, or efficiency initiatives. 

The delivery portion is fixed, but the supply portion is where you have a choice. That's where switching suppliers or choosing the right plan can make a big difference in how much you pay each month. 

How To Lower Your Gas Bill in Ohio 

Your gas bill doesn't have to feel out of your control. By making a few smart choices at home and with your supplier, you can start lowering costs right away. Here are ten practical steps you can take: 

1. Turn your thermostat down a notch when you leave the house or go to bed so you're not paying to heat empty rooms. 
2. Set up a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically manage your heating schedule and avoid wasted energy. 
3. Seal gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and ducts to stop warm air from escaping and keep your furnace from overworking. 
4. Add insulation in attics, basements, and crawl spaces to help your home hold heat more effectively. 
5. Book a furnace tune-up and replace air filters regularly so your system runs smoothly and efficiently. 
6. Replace old furnaces or water heaters with energy-efficient models when it's time to upgrade, so you're not overpaying for outdated equipment. 
7. Turn your water heater down to a safe, efficient setting to prevent energy waste. 
8. Take shorter showers and fix dripping faucets so you're not paying to heat water you don't really use. 
9. Let sunlight naturally warm your home during the day and close curtains at night to keep the heat inside. 
10. Review your supplier options and switch to a Fixed-Rate Plan if you want more rate stability or an Unlimited Energy Plan if you want predictability in your monthly supply charge.* 

Why Ohio Homeowners Choose Santanna Energy Services 

Understanding your gas bill is the first step toward keeping it predictable and that's where Santanna Energy Services comes in. We help Ohio homeowners manage their energy costs with plans that provide comfort, stability, and peace of mind.  

Whether you're trying to avoid winter spikes or want to make your energy use more sustainable, our Fixed Rate, Unlimited Energy, and Earth-Friendly plans are built to fit your lifestyle and budget. 

No matter where you live in Ohio, Santanna gives you the tools and flexibility to take control of your supply charge. Explore our plans available in Ohio to find the best fit for your home. 

FAQs 

If I Switch Suppliers, Will My Utility Still Deliver the Gas? 

Yes. Even if you pick a different supplier, your local utility company remains responsible for delivering the gas to your home, maintaining pipelines, responding to emergencies, and reading your meter. 

Who Actually Sets My Gas Rate in Ohio? 

The rate for the supply portion of your gas bill is set by the supplier you choose (or, if you don't choose one, by the utility's Default or Standard Choice Offer). Meanwhile, the delivery rate is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and set by your local utility to cover infrastructure, maintenance, and operations. 

What's the Difference Between My Utility and My Energy Supplier? 

Your utility delivers natural gas to your home, maintains the pipelines, and handles safety and service issues. Your supplier sells you the gas you use and sets your supply rate, giving you options for different plans. The benefit of choosing a supplier is that you can shop for competitive rates and plans that fit your lifestyle, instead of only paying your utility's default rate. 

Gas bills in Ohio don't have to feel unpredictable. By understanding what drives them up and down (like seasonal weather, home efficiency, and plan choice), you can take steps to make them easier to manage.  

At Santanna, we offer plans designed to fit different lifestyles, whether you want stability with a fixed rate, peace of mind with unlimited energy, or an eco-friendly option that supports sustainability. To find the plan that works best for your home, explore our plans here. 

* Restrictions apply. Enrollment based upon program eligibility. Customers using more than 125% of normal monthly usage as determined by Santanna may be required to switch plans.