How to Start New Vectren Service
Start your new service by calling Vectren customer service at 1-800-227-1376.
You can request new service by creating your Vectren Energy Delivery account submitting a request on-line at least one week in advance. You will also need to provide:
- Your name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Bill delivery preferences
- Email address
- Phone number
- Address where you want service
- Landlord name and phone number if you rent the dwelling
- Date you want service to start
- Instruction for accessing the inside of the property
- Pet information
- Contact details
Once Vectren recieves the service request, it takes 1-3 business days to complete.
Will I Need to Pay a Deposit?
Vectren checks your credit worthiness before setting up an account and to determine whether you will need to pay a deposit.
Typically, Vectren performs an Experian credit inquiry. Typically, deposit is not required if you pass.
TIP -- Be sure to unfreeze your credit. If you have frozen your credit with any of the major credit agencies, you will need to have it temporarily unfrozen before you submit a new service request.
If Vectren's credit inquiry is unsuccessful, you can establish creditworthiness through one of these methods:
- The customer demonstrates they are the property owner or meets the legally-accepted practices to verify credit.
- The customer has had a prior account with Vectren for the same class of service within the past two years and, in the prior year of service, did not have a late bill more than twice and did not have service disconnected for nonpayment, fraud or tampering.
- Have a guarantor who is a customer with the utility company and can pay your bills within 60 days if you fail to do so
Ohio utilities are limited in the amount they can charge for a deposit. Customer deposits can be no more than the estimated average 30-day bill plus 30%.
Understand Vectren Delivery and Supply Charges
In Ohio, residential customers pay for their natural gas in cents per hundred cubic feet (ccf). As with other Ohio natural gas utilities, Vectren requires customers to pay Delivery Charges and Gas Supply charges
- Delivery Charges are fixed rate charges (tariffs) to cover Vectren's local pipeline operating costs and ensure them a profit. Other usage-based charges are small costs from riders to fund projects, cover fees, etc. These charges must be approved by PUCO. All Vectren customers pay the same rate no matter who supplies their gas.
- Gas Supply Charges is the price for the natural gas that you use. Customers can choose the Vectren Standard Choice Offer (SCO) or a competitive retail natural gas supplier (CRNG).
Understand the Vectren Standard Choice Offer (SCO)
The Standard Choice Offer (SCO) is a PUCO-approved default rate for the natural gas supply that you can select if you don't want to shop for retail supplier. Though how rates are determined might seem confusing, the process helps keeps prices low.
- Each April, Vectren sets a retail price adjustment in cents per ccf after an auction to choose SCO suppliers.
- Suppliers that place the lowest bids are selected to provide the natural gas to SCO customers.
- Each month, Vectren determines rates by adding the NYMEX month-end natural gas settlement price to the retail price adjustment.
- This price is then passed directly to SCO customers without mark up. By law, Vectren of Ohio is prohibited from profiting.
As a result, the SCO gas supply price varies from month-to-month. Sometimes it's low, sometimes it's high. And though the SCO suppliers are also competitive retail suppliers, they are bound by law to charge the SCO rate to all of Vectren's SCO customers.
Vectren Current SCO Rate
Residential: 0.397 cents per ccf
Expiration date: 10/31/2024
Customers who have signed up for the Vectren SCO rate in 2020 are currently served by one of four suppliers:
- Constellation New Energy-Gas Division
- DTE Gas Supply
- Ohio Natural Gas (Southstar)
- Spire Marketing, Inc.
NOTE: Some Ohio municipal utilities purchase power for their local residents. Usually residents need to pay an opt-out fee if they don't want their natural gas service to be aggregated. Check with your local government to learn how you might be effected.
How Much Does The Vectren SCO Cost?
According to PUCO's estimates, the average Ohio home uses roughly 100 ccf per month.
Assuming the average Ohio monthly usage rate of 100 ccf, an average Vectren SCO bill roughly breaks down like this:
| Rate per 100 ccf Used | Monthly Customer Charge | Total | |
| SCO Supply Rate | 0.397 cents | 0 | $39.68 |
| Monthly Distribution Charges | $0.035595 | $4.00 | $30.69 |
| Total Bill | $70.37 |
Understand Ohio Energy Choice
Ohio natural gas consumers are free to choose their own competitive retail natural gas supplier (CRNG). These alternative suppliers shop deals with different producers on the wholesale market to offer competitive rates. As such, their rates are not controlled by PUCO. This way, retail suppliers are able to offer competitively priced fixed rate plans for a variety of term lengths.
Though it can seem confusing, shopping natural gas plans is an easy process. The trick is finding the one that meets your needs. That's why retail natural gas suppliers in Ohio offer two types of plans:
- Fixed Natural Gas Rates have their price rate set for the same price over the term of the contract. That means customers can count on stable gas rates on plans lasting from 6 to 36 months. However, many fixed rate plans come with early cancellation fees for breaking a contract early.
- Variable Rates Want to avoid getting tied to a natural gas plan for months or years? Then choose a variable plan. Variable plan rates on these contracts can change from month to month depending on the price of natural gas. But while there's no contract, there's nothing to prevent your rate from going up one month or down the next. However, these plans don't have any termination fees and this allows customers the flexibility to shop for new rates and switch to better deals without paying any penalty.
Understand Your Vectren Usage
In the east north central region of the U.S., up to 55% of an average home's energy usage goes to space heating. The rest is used for heating water, running clothing dryers, and cooking. Natural gas makes up 65% of energy used for home heating in Ohio, putting it among the top 10 natural gas-consuming states.
That means the best way to save on your natural gas bill is to reduce your usage by sealing your doors and windows against drafts, adding insulation to your attic, sealing and insulating your basem*nt, and purchasing a programmable or smart thermostat.
Vectren offers its customers with Vectren.com accounts access to a free on-line suite of energy assessment tools to help your pinpoint ways to save energy in your home by using actual billing data from your energy bills.
Understanding Your Vectren Bill
Your Vectren bill also comes packed full of useful information to help you better understand your usage and rate. But all these different line items that can be confusing to customers. Here is where we break down the most important items. Below is a sample Vectren Natural Gas bill.
Vectren Sample Bill
- Account summary features the the date of the bill, the amount and date the payment is due, and the amount due if payment is late.
- Current charges show the supply charges, Vectren delivery charges, plus any past-due amounts.
- This account profile shows your account info, service address, and including contact info.
- Energy tip. Vectren includes useful tips on how you can save energy on every bill.
- The usage history can help you see your past 13 months of usage. Includes average temperature to help you better understand your usage and estimate future bills. It also shows your next scheduled meter read.
- This natural gas service information features the meter-read date, number of days in the billing period, and how the usage amount (in ccf) was determined.
- Vectren Energy Delivery Charges shows the cost of sending your natural gas through Vectren's local pipeline network to your home. This also your monthly customer charge.
- Gas supply charge shows the name of your supplier (whether Vectren SCO or a retail provider), the amount for your usage and tax.
- Usage history breakdown shows the amount of your monthly usage for the past 13 months.
- Bill stub that you send to Vectren listing the amount due and the amount enclosed.
- Contact information and your account number.
Vectren Coupons, Energy Promotions, Discounts, Rebates and Promo Codes
As your local natural gas utility, Vectren offers several rebate and energy efficiency programs to help customers save money off their monthly bill by upgrading their home's energy performance. Some programs also offer money-saving incentives while others could make paying your monthly bills much easier during those expensive winter months.
| Program Name | Program Type | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Save with rebates on smart thermostats | Rebate Program | Available via the DP&L Marketplace:
|
| Get an rebate for an Energy Star certified residential natural gas heating system. | Rebate Program |
|
| Insulation & Home Sealing Rebates | Rebate Program |
|
| Vectren Home Weatherization Program | Residential Energy Efficiency | Income-eligible homeowners and renters whose income does not exceed 300% of the poverty guidelines of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may receive energy efficiency improvements to their homes at NO COST:
|
| PUCO Winter Reconnect Order | Bill payment assistance | Starting October 5, if your service has been shut off for non-payment or you have a shutoff notice, you can maintain or restore service for just $175 plus a reconnection fee - no matter how much you owe. Call Vectren Customer Service. |
| Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) | Bill payment assistance | Federal grant to help pay your winter heating bills.To qualify for HEAP, your annual household income cannot exceed 175% of the poverty guidelines. |
| Winter Crisis Program | Bill payment assistance | Runs from November 1, 2020 to May 1, 2021 for customers whose service is shut off for non-payment or have received a shutoff notice.Customers who meet income eligibility requirements can receive a grant. Contact your local Energy Assistance Provider. |
| Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus) | Bill payment assistance | Helps eligible Ohioans manage their energy bills year- round. Payments are based on a percentage of household income and are consistent year-round. To qualify your annual household income cannot exceed 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. |
| Share the Warmth, Inc. | Bill payment assistance | Vectren established the Share the Warmth Foundation to assist income-eligible households with home weatherization measures to reduce their energy bills. Annual funds are distributed to Ohio Low Income Weatherization Assistance Programs. |
| Equal Payment Plans | Bill payment assistance | Vectren offers a variety of payment plans that allow you to avoid spiking mid-winter bills or to pay your past due balance over a period of pre-determined months.
|
Vectren Reviews
Because Vectren serves a large segment market, understanding how it compares to other large-scale incumbant utilities can show just how well it serves its residential customers. Vectren is accredited with the BBB and was well-rated in J.D. Power's 2020 Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study.
| OH Energy Ratings Score | Better Business Bureau | J.D. Power 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | accredited,A+ rating | 740of 1000 pts |
How do I Get the Cheapest Vectren Rate?
Shopping for a new Vectren Energy Choice Plan can seem bewildering at first. Once you understand how it works, though, it's an easy and straightforward process. That said, you should have these three things with you when you shop for natural gas.
- Your current bill. Your past usage per billing period can help you estimate a how much a plan might cost you each month.
- The current Vectren SCO rate and expiration date. Knowing the current Vectren of Ohio Standard Choice Offer gives you a price to compare with retail gas suppliers. This way, you can get a better feel for what they're offering, for how long, and if any of their incentives make their price work for your family's need.
- Your Vectren of Ohio customer account number. This 19 digit number begins with "0 3". Having it handy lets you sign up for retail supplier offers right away.
Vectren Shopping Questions
Often when you know the right questions to ask you'll learn exactly what you need to save money or avoid making a bad choice. When you shop for natural gas service in Ohio, always be sure to ask these important questions:
- Is the rate competitive with the SCO?
- Is the rate variable or is it fixed?
- How long does the plan last?
- What happens when the contract expires?
- Does the plan have any recurring charges?
- Does the plan come with an early cancellation fee?
- Does the supplier offer any customer incentives or rewards?
There are also some other important things to understand ahead of time:
Who bills me? Vectren sends a single bill that outlines and adds up your monthly charges.
What are the Terms of Service? The Terms of Service explain and identify specific charges and any fees a customer will face when they sign up for an natural gas plan. Many suppliers offer different rates for plans with different term lengths. All Ohio natural gas customers should read and understand the terms of service and contract summary for any plan they are interested in before they sign on to the plan.
What are early termination fees? Switching retail suppliers before a contract ends can involve paying early termination fees. These can take a chomp out of your checking account you if you want to switch retail providers before your natural gas plan contract ends.
Where can I find more information on my usage? Vectren customers can request up to 24 months of their gas usage plus other relevant information free of charge.
Compare Ohio Natural Gas Rates in Your Area
Problems or interruptions with your Vectren natural gas supply? Here's the proper people to call:
- Billing problems? - First thing to do is contact Vectren. If you have trouble paying your monthly bill call Vectren's Customer Service: 1-800-227-1376
- Natural gas service outage? Call Vectren immediately.
Aging natural gas pipeline need to be replaced to maintain safety and reliability. If you have a service interruption, not only shuould yo call Vectren but you can also check Vectren's Projects Map to see if these projects are affecting your service.
What If You Smell Natural Gas?
Natural gas leaks are extremely dangerous. Any kind of spark can ignite an explosion. Leave the area immediately if:
- You SMELL natural gas. Mercaptan is added to natural gas to give it the distinctive stink of rotten eggs.
- You HEAR unusual sounds like hissing or whistling.
- You SEE a damaged connection to a natural gas appliance, dirt or water blowing into the air, a dry patch of grass, or a fire or explosion near a pipeline.
Don't try to find the source of the leak. Just stop what you're doing and move to a safe distance at least 350 feet away.
Call 911 immediately and then notifiy Vectren of Ohio at 1-800-227-1376!
Vectren of Ohio Providers
| Company | Rating | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Constellation | (4.5/5) | 866-630-0685 |
| (4/5) | 866 682 9816 | |
| Frontier Utilities | (3.9/5) | 877-291-6554 |
| Energy Harbor | (3.9/5) | 866-902-8105 |
| Tomorrow Energy | (3.7/5) | 888-392-8329 |
| CleanSky Energy | (3.7/5) | 800-581-1016 |
| Santanna Energy Services | (3.6/5) | 866-604-2505 |
| XOOM Energy | (3.5/5) | |
| Symmetry Energy Solutions | (3.4/5) | |
| Direct Energy | (3.3/5) | 844-225-3948 |
| (3.3/5) | 866-929-2842 | |
| Mercury Energy | (3.2/5) | |
| Public Power | (3.1/5) | 844-785-8526 |
| NRG Home | (3/5) | |
| Major Energy | (2.7/5) | |
| Vista Energy | (2.5/5) | 888-201-3877 |
| (2.1/5) | 866-788-8348 | |
| SFE Energy | (2/5) | |
| Spark Energy | (2/5) | |
| (2/5) | ||
| (2/5) | ||
| (2/5) | ||
| Kiwi Energy | (0/5) | |
| (0/5) | ||
| 24 results | ||
Zip Codes with the Cheapest Natural Gas Rates in Ohio
45011
44035
44256
44060
43055
43130
43123
45601
44077
43081
43701
45840
43302
43026
45140
45044
45013
44107
43068
43230
