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?

You are protected from fluctuating natural gas prices for 12 months, due to changing market prices that affect your monthly gas bill. No matter how much natural gas prices fluctuate, especially during winter, your price per therm remains unchanged — guaranteed!

You may also benefit from milder weather and any conservation measures resulting in lower usage because you only pay for what you use.

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How is the PriceGuard amount determined?

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

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How long is the PriceGuard quote good for?

Once you have been given a PriceGuard quote, you have until the end of that business day to enroll and lock-in the quoted price. If you choose not to sign up until a later date, your PriceGuard quote may change.

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What happens at the end of my PriceGuard contract?

Prior to the end of your 12-month PriceGuard agreement, Nicor Advanced Energy will send you your 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 renewal will show your 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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What are the other advantages of enrolling with Nicor Advanced Energy?

You can trust a Nicor company to deliver on its contracted pricing commitments. But you probably didn't know that through our affiliate company, Nicor Services, you get special discounts on a wide variety of home warranty plans. As an industry leader, we are committed to customer satisfaction with easy-to-read bills, convenient ways to pay, and a team of customer service professionals ready to help you find the right natural gas plan for you.

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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.

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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 I save money on the PriceGuard program versus what I would have paid on traditional gas utility service?

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

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If I am already with another supplier, can I get on the PriceGuard program?

If you decide to enroll in the PriceGuard program, your contract with your 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 I am already enrolled in the gas utility budget plan and I want to enroll in the PriceGuard program?

If you decide to enroll in the PriceGuard program, you will automatically be removed from your current budget plan. You will remain responsible for any true-up amount you may owe, which 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. If you have built a credit balance with Peoples Gas or North Shore Gas, Nicor Advanced Energy will have a refund check issued to you so you can apply those funds to future Nicor Advanced Energy bills.

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

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 PriceGuard program at the first meter reading after the utility accepts you into the utility’s Choice program. You will receive your first bill approximately 30 days after you become active in the PriceGuard program.

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What happens if I don't pay my PriceGuard bill?

Nicor Advanced Energy reserves the right to terminate you from PriceGuard service if you don't pay. You would still be responsible for cancellation fees, any past due balances, and any potential late-pay fees (1.5% of your outstanding monthly balance).

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How can I pay for my PriceGuard Plan through a credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT) for no charge?

You can sign up for credit card payments or Electronic Funds Transfer at our website at Nicor Payment Solutions or by calling 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 home?

You are still a gas utility customer. The toll-free number to call in 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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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 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 Nicor Gas Customer Select and Choices for You program. 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 utility will provide back-up supplies so long as their supplies have not been interrupted.

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