Frequently Asked Questions

How does the PriceGuard plan work?

Nicor Advanced Energy's PriceGuard plan lets you lock in a fixed price per therm for your natural gas for a one-year period.  Since the price of natural gas changes frequently as a result of weather or economic conditions, you will always have peace of mind, knowing you are protected from fluctuations in the market price of natural gas.

Think of PriceGuard as paying the same price at the pump for your gasoline, for one whole year. Your bill changes every month based on how much you drive, but your price per gallon stays the same.

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What are the benefits of PriceGuard?

Your company is protected from fluctuating natural gas prices for 12 months, due to changing market prices that affect the monthly gas bill. No matter how much natural gas prices fluctuate, especially during winter, your company's price per therm remains unchanged ─ guaranteed!

Your company may also benefit from milder weather and any conservation measures resulting in lower usage because it only pays for what it uses.

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How is the PriceGuard amount determined?

Your PriceGuard amount per therm is based on factors such as the current price of natural gas, and other program costs. Once your company is enrolled in PriceGuard, its stated price per therm will not change for 12 months. Each month your company's PriceGuard bill will consist of the set price per therm multiplied by the therms it used in that period.

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How long is the PriceGuard quote good for?

Once your company has been given a PriceGuard quote, it has until the end of that business day to enroll and lock-in the quoted price. If your company decides to sign up on a later date, its PriceGuard quote may change.

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How long is my company's billing cycle?

Your PriceGuard bill is due 14 days after the invoice date, the same as the utility company.

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What happens at the end of my company's PriceGuard contract?

Prior to the end of your company's 12-month PriceGuard agreement, Nicor Advanced Energy will send your company its new PriceGuard amount for the next 12-month period, and a written notice if there are changes to the terms and conditions of the PriceGuard agreement. Your company's renewal letter will show its fixed price per therm for the next 12 months. We will renew your enrollment automatically at that new rate and terms unless you notify us within 30 days of the postmark date of your renewal notice.

The terms of your cancellation for a renewal are the same as for your new agreement.

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Are there any additional fees to enroll in the program?

There are no enrollment fees or extra charges to enroll in this program.

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Is there a fee if I decide to cancel?

There is no cancellation fee if you cancel your agreement within 10 business days of the issue date of your first company bill. If you terminate this agreement or otherwise cause the termination of this agreement after the 10-business-day period, a termination fee of $50 will apply. You will be responsible for the period of time you are on the plan.

To cancel your PriceGuard Plan agreement in the Nicor Gas territory, call our customer care number at 866-799-2674. To cancel in the Peoples Gas/North Shore Gas territory, call 888-282-9459. Cancellation fees may apply.

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What is rescission and how is it different from cancellation?

The rescission of a contract returns the parties to the positions they would have occupied if the contract had not been made. If you decide to rescind your contract, you will not receive service from NAE. You have 10 days from the postmark date of the gas utility letter to request rescission of your contract with NAE. Once a contract is rescinded, you will remain with the energy supplier you had contracted with prior to enrolling in the NAE contract. To rescind your contract in the Nicor territory, call Nicor Gas at 1-888-NICOR4U; in the Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas territory, call 1-866-556-6001.

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Will my company save money on the PriceGuard program versus what it would have paid on traditional gas utility service?

Depending on the difference between your company's fixed PriceGuard rate versus monthly variable rates, during the 12-month term, your company may or may not save money compared to traditional utility service.

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If my company is already with another supplier, can it get on the PriceGuard program?

If you decide to enroll your company in the PriceGuard program, your company's contract with its supplier will be cancelled. Prior to enrolling in the PriceGuard program, you should review your current supplier contract or contact your current supplier to determine if there are any cancellation fees.

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What if my company is already enrolled in the gas utility budget plan and I want to enroll in the PriceGuard program?

If you decide to enroll your company in the PriceGuard program, your company will automatically be removed from its current budget plan. Your company will remain responsible for any true-up amount it may owe, which will be presented on your company's final utility bill.

If your company has built a credit balance with Nicor Gas, the credit will be directly transferred to your Nicor Advanced Energy Account. If your company has built a credit balance with Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas, Nicor Advanced Energy will have a refund check issued to your company so it can apply those funds to future Nicor Advanced Energy bills.

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When will my company receive its first bill from Nicor Advanced Energy with its PriceGuard amount?

After your company enrolls, it will receive at least one more regular gas bill, which it will be responsible for paying. Your company will become active in the PriceGuard program at the first meter reading after being accepted into the utility's Choice program. Your company will receive its first bill approximately 30 days after becoming active in the PriceGuard program.

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What happens if I don't pay off my company's entire utility balance before receiving my first PriceGuard bill?

You are still responsible for any balances and/or additional late-payment fees from the utility that remain outstanding until that balance is paid off, even if you are on the PriceGuard Program.

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I currently have my gas bill deducted from my checking account (Electronic Funds Transfer-EFT). Will I still be able to pay my bill that way if I'm on the PriceGuard program?

You can sign your company up for credit card payments or Electronic Funds Transfer at our website at Nicor Payment Solutions or call us at 866-799-2674. Utilities frequently charge you for these services, but Nicor Advanced Energy does not.

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Who do I contact if I have a gas leak or need the gas company to come out to my premise?

You are still a gas utility customer. The toll-free number to call in the Nicor Gas territory in case of emergencies or if you smell natural gas is 1-888-Nicor4U. (1-888-642-6748). The toll-free number to call in the Peoples Gas territory is 866-556-6002. The toll-free number to call in the North Shore Gas territory is 866-556-6005.

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Is the gas supply purchased through PriceGuard secure and reliable?

Yes. You will be purchasing your natural gas from Nicor Advanced Energy, a part of the Nicor Inc. family of companies that has been serving customers in Illinois for more than 50 years. Your gas utility will continue to deliver your company's gas, read its meter and provide emergency service.

Nicor Advanced Energy has been approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission to supply gas to residential and small commercial customers within the Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore gas territories. Additionally, Nicor Advanced Energy has been approved to participate in the Customer Select and Choices for You programs. As an approved supplier, we will sell your company its gas and deliver it to the gas utility's system. The gas utility is still responsible for delivering this gas to your premise and maintaining their distribution system.

If gas supplies from Nicor Advanced Energy are interrupted, the gas utility will provide back up supplies so long as their supplies have not been interrupted.

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