| Q1: |
What is the Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12
program? |
| A1: |
Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 is a guaranteed natural gas bill that is guaranteed not to change for 12 months regardless of changes in natural gas prices or in your usage due to the weather.
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| Q2: |
How is my monthly amount calculated? |
| A2: |
Your Lock 12 amount is customized for you based on various factors, such as your home's use of natural gas in the past, gas prices, and normal weather conditions. Your Lock 12 monthly amount includes all natural gas-related costs, program administration fees, and taxes.
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| Q3: |
Once I obtain a quote for the Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 program, how long is the quote good for? |
| A3: |
Once you have been given a Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 quote, you have until the end of that day to enroll and lock-in at that price. If you choose not to sign up until a later date, your Lock 12 quote will likely change. This is because gas prices change on a daily basis, similar to interest rates.
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| Q4: |
What happens at the end of my 12-month Lock 12 agreement? |
| A4: |
Prior to the end of your 12-month Lock 12 agreement, Nicor Advanced Energy will forward your new Lock 12 amount for the next 12-month period with your new terms and conditions. If the new amount and terms are acceptable to you, do nothing and your new Lock 12 amount will automatically be in effect for another 12 months under our then current plan terms. If you don't want your agreement to renew, you can call Nicor Advanced Energy within 30 days of the postmark date of your new agreement to cancel your agreement.
Nicor Advanced Energy reserves the right to not renew the Lock 12 service.
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| Q5: |
Are there any additional fees to enroll in the Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 program? |
| A5: |
Your Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 amount includes all natural gas-related costs, program administration fees, and taxes. No extra charges or additional monthly fees are added to your Lock 12 amount after you have enrolled.
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| Q6: |
Are there any fees if I change my mind? |
| A6: |
Agreements vary based on such factors as time of enrollment or inclusion of special premium offers. If your agreement contains a cancellation fee, please note that 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. Be sure you understand your cancellation terms before you enroll.
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| Q7: |
What is rescission and how is it different from cancellation? |
| A7: |
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.
To cancel your contract 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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| Q8: |
When will I receive my first bill from Nicor Advanced Energy with my Lock 12 amount? |
| A8: |
After you enroll, you will receive at least one more regular gas bill, which you will be responsible for paying. You will become active in the Lock 12 program at the first meter reading after the utility accepts you into its Choice program.
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| Q9: |
What happens if I pay more or less than my Lock 12 amount in a given month? |
| A9: |
The amount you overpay will be considered a credit, which can be applied toward your next month's Lock 12 amount if you so desire. Underpaying will result in a past-due balance that will appear on your next month's bill. You will still be responsible for your past-due balance and any potential late-pay fees (1.5% of your outstanding balance). Nicor Advanced Energy reserves the right to terminate Lock 12 service due to nonpayment.
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| Q10: |
How is the Lock 12 program different from the utility's budget plan? |
| A10: |
With the utility's budget plan, your gas bill is adjusted periodically based on changes in gas prices and usage, which can vary dramatically. Lock 12 has no periodic adjustments regardless of changes in gas prices or the weather. Your Lock 12 amount may be higher or lower compared to what you might have paid under the utility's budget plan.
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| Q11: |
What if I am already enrolled in the utility's budget plan and I want to enroll in the Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 program? |
| A11: |
If you decide to enroll in the Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 program, you will automatically be removed from your current budget plan. You will remain responsible for any balance you may owe, and it will be presented on your final utility bill.
If you have built a credit balance with Nicor Gas, the credit will be directly transferred to your Nicor Advanced Energy account to cover your Lock 12 contract balance. If you have built a credit balance with Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas, Nicor Advanced Energy can request the utility issue you a refund check so you can use these funds toward future Lock 12 amounts.
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| Q12: |
If I currently have a credit balance on my utility account, is the Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 amount adjusted by taking that balance into account? |
| A12: |
No. Your Nicor Advanced Energy Lock 12 quote does not take into account any credit balance you may currently have.
If you have built a credit balance with Nicor Gas, the credit will be directly transferred to your Nicor Advanced Energy account to cover your Lock 12 contract balance. If you have built a credit balance with Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas, Nicor Advanced Energy can request the utility issue you a refund check so you can use these funds toward future Lock 12 amounts.
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| Q13: |
What happens if I don't pay off my entire utility balance before I receive my first Lock 12 bill? |
| A13: |
You are still responsible for any balances and/or additional late payment fees from the utility that are still outstanding until that balance is paid off, even if you're on the Lock 12 program.
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| Q14: |
Is this a savings plan? |
| A14: |
No. This is a convenience plan. You may or may not save money.
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| Q15: |
If I move to a new address, will my Lock 12 contract automatically carry over? Will it continue to be the same amount? |
| A15: |
No. We will attempt to calculate a new Lock 12 amount for you. If this is not possible (due to the lack of sufficient usage information at your new home), you will be responsible for the final Lock 12 charge at your current residence and, if eligible, we will enroll you in another plan offered by Nicor Advanced Energy at your new residence. We will mail you the contract details for the new contract at your new residence.
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| Q16: |
Can I be on another Choice program and request to go on the Lock 12 program? |
| A16: |
No. If you decide to enroll in the Lock 12 program, you agree to cancel your contract with your current provider. Prior to enrolling in the Lock 12 program, you should review your current alternative gas provider contract or contact your current supplier to determine if there are any cancellation fees from them.
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| Q17: |
Who do I contact if I have a gas leak or need the gas company to come out to my home? |
| A17: |
You are still a 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 1-866-556-6002. The toll-free number to call in the North Shore Gas territory is 1-866-556-6005.
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| Q18: |
Is the gas supply purchased through Lock 12 secure and reliable? |
| A18: |
Yes. You will be purchasing your natural gas from Nicor Advanced Energy, a part of the Nicor Inc. family of companies that have been serving customers in Illinois for more than 50 years. The utility will continue to deliver your gas, read your 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 and Peoples Gas/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 you your gas and deliver it to the gas utility system. The utility is still responsible for delivering this gas to your home 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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