Natural Gas: What It Is and How to Manage Service, Bills, and Safety
Natural gas is a fossil fuel delivered by pipeline to homes and businesses for heating, cooking, and water heating. If you live in National Grid's service area (New York and Massachusetts), you can manage your account online, schedule service start/stop/transfer when moving, enroll in billing programs, and report gas emergencies. This guide covers what natural gas is, how to set up or move service, billing options, safety basics, and efficiency programs.
What Natural Gas Is and How It Reaches You
Natural gas is primarily methane, formed underground over millions of years from buried organic matter. It travels through a network of transmission and distribution pipelines to reach your home or business.
Common residential and business uses:
- Space heating (furnaces, boilers)
- Water heating
- Cooking (stoves, ovens)
- Clothes drying
- Commercial/industrial processes
National Grid provides natural gas and electricity to customers in New York (including NYC, Long Island, and Upstate New York) and Massachusetts.
Moving? Start, Stop, or Transfer Service
If you're moving within National Grid's service area, schedule your service change the week before you move. This applies whether you're:
- Starting new service
- Stopping service at your old address
- Transferring service to a new address
How to do it: Use the "Schedule Appointment" option on the National Grid website to start, stop, or transfer service. Scheduling ahead ensures your gas is on when you arrive and properly closed at your previous location.
Billing Options: Make Payments Predictable
National Grid offers several ways to manage your gas and electricity bills:
| Option | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Budget Plan | Spreads projected annual energy costs into more predictable monthly payments |
| Automated Payments | Enroll to have bills paid automatically |
| Paperless Billing | Receive bills electronically, reduce clutter |
| Ways to Pay | Multiple payment methods available |
| Pay in Person | Find physical payment locations |
| Third Party Notifications | Have someone else notified about your account |
The budget plan is especially useful if you want even bills year-round rather than seasonal spikes. Automated payments and paperless billing reduce administrative hassle.
Gas Safety: Report an Emergency
If you smell gas or suspect a leak, report a gas emergency immediately. National Grid provides a "Report A Gas Emergency" option on its website. Do not wait—gas leaks are a serious safety hazard.
General safety reminders:
- If you smell gas, leave the area and call for help from a safe location
- Don't use phones, light matches, or operate electrical switches if you suspect a leak
- Know where your gas shutoff valve is located
Energy Saving Programs and Reducing Costs
National Grid offers energy saving programs to help customers reduce usage and costs. These programs may include incentives, rebates, or efficiency upgrades. Check the "Start Saving Today" and "Check out our energy saving programs" sections on the website for current offerings.
Practical ways to reduce natural gas usage:
- Lower thermostat settings when away or asleep
- Seal drafts around windows and doors
- Maintain heating equipment regularly
- Use programmable or smart thermostats
Quick Reference: What You Can Do Online
- Access your account: Manage gas and electricity services online
- Schedule service changes: Start, stop, or transfer service before moving
- Enroll in budget plan: Get predictable monthly bills
- Set up automated payments: Avoid missed due dates
- Go paperless: Reduce mail clutter
- Report a gas emergency: Use the dedicated emergency reporting option
- Explore energy saving programs: Find efficiency incentives and tips
For specific account actions, visit the National Grid website and select your region (New York or Massachusetts) to see localized options.