GreenLeaf Gas Company

April 29,Dear [redacted] ***:I am writing in response to the above referenced complaint filed with your officeTo preserve privacy as requested, I refer to the individual filing the complaint as “the Resident.” By way of background, [redacted] Mobile Home Park is located in York, PA and managed by [redacted] Natural gas service is supplied to the residents of [redacted] by Greenleaf Gas, our sister companyBoth companies have the same address, and the office is located on site at [redacted] All residents receive a monthly invoice for the natural gas they use; it shows the meter reading date, the current and previous meter reading, the cubic feet consumed, the billing rate and the total amount for natural gasIt also includes the monthly rental amount and any past due balances, so residents know exactly how much to pay by the due dateThe Resident complained of high gas billsGas bills are typically highest during heat season, and lowest during summer monthsThe Resident moved into the community in November 2014, the start of heat season and the peak billing period.The table on the following page shows the amount of natural gas consumed by the Resident since moving into the community:Billing Period Cubic Feet11/7/to 12/9/ 9,12/10/to 1/7/ 11,1/8/to 2/10/ 16, 2/11/to 3/9/ 16, 3/9/to 4/7/ 6,Total Usage Heat Season 59,During the same 5-month period last year, the former resident used 57,cubic feet of natural gasThe usage is comparable, especially considering the harshness of this past winterAdditionally, the Resident did report a gas leak in the hot water heater that had to be repaired during the month of February; this may have been a contributing factor as wellGas consumption is based on a variety of factors, including weather conditions, age of the home, insulation R-value and efficiency of the appliancesIn this particular case, the Residents home is almost years oldDue to its age, all of these factors likely contributed to the amount of gas consumed in the homeNow that heat season is over, the Resident is seeing a reduction in gas consumptionThe most recent invoice showed consumption of 6,cubic feetWe also did a quick check yesterday; from April to April (a 3-week period) consumption was just cubic feetHigher bills during heat season can place added stress on any budgetWe do offer a budget-billing program in which we estimate annual consumption and bill a fixed amount for gas service each monthAt the end of the budget year, billing is reconciled, and the customer is either billed for the gas they used over their budget amount, or credited for the gas they did not useThis affords the customer a steady monthly amount they can budget, with a one time annual adjustment; many residents find this program preferable to the fluctuation in billing throughout the yearIf the Resident wishes to enroll in the budget-billing program, she can contact the officeOur next enrollment is for the August 1, to July billing yearThank you.James P

April 29,2015
Dear [redacted]:I am writing in response to the above referenced complaint filed with your office. To preserve privacy as requested, I refer to the individual filing the...

complaint as “the Resident.” 
By way of background, [redacted] Mobile Home Park is located in York, PA and managed by [redacted]. Natural gas service is supplied to the residents of [redacted] by Greenleaf Gas, our sister company. Both companies have the same address, and the office is located on site at [redacted].
All residents receive a monthly invoice for the natural gas they use; it shows the meter reading date, the current and previous meter reading, the cubic feet consumed, the billing rate and the total amount for natural gas. It also includes the monthly rental amount and any past due balances, so residents know exactly how much to pay by the due date.
The Resident complained of high gas bills. Gas bills are typically highest during heat season, and lowest during summer months. The Resident moved into the community in November 2014, the start of heat season and the peak billing period.The table on the following page shows the amount of natural gas consumed by the Resident since moving into the community:Billing Period                Cubic Feet11/7/14 to 12/9/14              9,530
12/10/14 to 1/7/15             11,200
1/8/15 to 2/10/15               16,760
2/11/15 to 3/9/15               16,150
3/9/15 to 4/7/15                    6,330
Total Usage Heat Season     59,970
During the same 5-month period last year, the former resident used 57,900 cubic feet of natural gas. The usage is comparable, especially considering the harshness of this past winter. Additionally, the Resident did report a gas leak in the hot water heater that had to be repaired during the month of February; this may have been a contributing factor as well.
Gas consumption is based on a variety of factors, including weather conditions, age of the home, insulation R-value and efficiency of the appliances. In this particular case, the Residents home is almost 40 years old. Due to its age, all of these factors likely contributed to the amount of gas consumed in the home.
Now that heat season is over, the Resident is seeing a reduction in gas consumption. The most recent invoice showed consumption of 6,330 cubic feet. We also did a quick check yesterday; from April 8 to April 28 (a 3-week period) consumption was just 1500 cubic feet.
Higher bills during heat season can place added stress on any budget. We do offer a budget-billing program in which we estimate annual consumption and bill a fixed amount for gas service each month. At the end of the budget year, billing is reconciled, and the customer is either billed for the gas they used over their budget amount, or credited for the gas they did not use. This affords the customer a steady monthly amount they can budget, with a one time annual adjustment; many residents find this program preferable to the fluctuation in billing throughout the year. If the Resident wishes to enroll in the budget-billing program, she can contact the office. Our next enrollment is for the August 1, 2015 to July 31 2016 billing year.
Thank you.James P