Getting Gas Service in Baltimore: What You Need to Know About BGE

When your heat stops working in January or your stove won't light, you need to understand how natural gas reaches your home and who manages it. This guide covers Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), the utility that delivers natural gas to most Baltimore households, how service connections work, what happens when problems arise, and what your actual costs look like.

Who Supplies Gas to Baltimore

BGE is a regulated utility owned by Exelon Corporation and operates under franchise from the Public Service Commission of Maryland. It serves approximately 1.3 million gas customers across central Maryland, including Baltimore city, Baltimore County, Howard County, and parts of Anne Arundel and Carroll counties. If you live east of the Jones Falls or in Canton, Fells Point, or Federal Hill, BGE manages the underground lines delivering gas to your property.

This matters because BGE is not a competitor you choose. If you're in their service territory, they're your only option for gas delivery. What you actually control is your supplier if you enroll in Maryland's gas choice program, which lets customers select alternative suppliers while BGE maintains the pipes and infrastructure. Most Baltimore households do not switch suppliers, remaining with BGE's supply service at their default rates.

Residential Account Setup and Monthly Billing

Setting up a new gas account with BGE involves calling 800-685-0123 or starting online at bge.com. You'll need to provide the property address, move-in date, and identification. If the account was recently closed, BGE may require a deposit, typically $150 to $250 depending on your credit profile and estimated annual usage.

Your monthly bill reflects three components: the commodity charge (the actual cost of natural gas, which fluctuates), the delivery charge (what BGE charges to operate the pipes and meters), and any taxes or riders. In Baltimore, the delivery charge represents roughly 40 to 50 percent of your winter bill and less in summer. The commodity cost swings sharply with wholesale prices. A household using 60 therms per month during winter months might see bills ranging from $90 to $140, but this shifts with market conditions.

Billing cycles run on a 28-to-35-day schedule, not calendar months. BGE reads meters monthly in most Baltimore neighborhoods, though some customers have smart meters that report usage daily. If you see an estimated reading on your bill rather than an actual meter reading, request a manual read by contacting BGE; readings taken during winter months carry less risk of error than estimates.

Maintenance, Safety, and Repairs

BGE maintains the gas main lines, the regulator at your meter, and the meter itself. Everything from the meter into your house is your responsibility as a homeowner. This means the pipes running through your walls, connections to appliances, and any repairs inside belong to you.

If you smell gas inside your home, leave immediately and call BGE's emergency line at 877-235-5325. They respond to suspected leaks 24/7. Do not use electrical switches, light matches, or start your car in the garage. BGE will arrive to locate the leak using specialized equipment and turn off your gas if necessary at no charge.

For non-emergency maintenance, BGE recommends annual inspections of your heating system by a licensed HVAC contractor. Many Baltimore homeowners use companies like Goodyear Heating and Air Conditioning or Chesapeake Comfort, both licensed in Maryland and accustomed to Baltimore's older housing stock where original pipe materials and connections sometimes require replacement.

If BGE's meter or regulator fails, they handle the repair and charge nothing. If your interior pipes or appliance connections leak, you hire and pay a private contractor. The boundary is clear but homeowners often misunderstand it, so asking BGE explicitly during a service call prevents confusion.

Gas Shutoff and Reconnection in Baltimore

BGE can shut off service for non-payment after a 30-day notice period. Once disconnected, reconnection requires payment in full of the past-due amount plus a $48 reconnection fee as of 2024 (verify current fee with BGE). A technician must physically visit to relight your pilot lights and check for safety issues, which takes one to three business days depending on the queue.

During winter months (November through March), Maryland regulations prohibit shutoffs for residential accounts if the balance is under $350 or if the customer is negotiating a payment plan. Baltimore's legal aid organizations, particularly Community Law Center, help residents negotiate these plans if you fall behind.

BGE also offers budget billing, which averages your annual costs and divides them into equal monthly payments. This smooths the shock of high winter bills but means you pay more in summer months for gas you use in winter. Budget billing works best for households with stable employment and predictable usage patterns.

Comparing Your Costs to Regional Averages

Baltimore's average residential gas bill sits around $68 per month when averaged across all seasons, according to utility billing data from the state regulatory body. Winter months push this to $130 to $150 for a home using forced-air heat; summer months drop to $20 to $30 if you're only using gas for hot water and cooking.

Nearby jurisdictions show similar patterns. Washington D.C. residents using Pepco pay slightly more due to higher delivery charges, while rural Maryland customers using small independent utilities often face higher per-therm costs. Baltimore's rates reflect its dense infrastructure and large customer base, which lowers fixed costs per household.

If your monthly bill exceeds regional averages, your home may have insulation problems, drafty windows, or a thermostat set higher than necessary. Audit your usage through BGE's online portal, which breaks down monthly consumption by year. A sudden spike points to a leak or equipment failure.

Practical Steps for New and Existing Customers

Register for an online account at bge.com immediately after signing up for service. This lets you view real-time usage, receive bill notifications, and report outages. Download BGE's mobile app to report emergencies faster than calling during severe weather.

Schedule your annual HVAC inspection before October so contractors aren't overwhelmed when heating season begins. If your home has old cast-iron gas pipes (common in Hampden, Canton, and neighborhoods built before 1970), ask your contractor to check for deterioration and corrosion; replacing these before failure prevents sudden service loss in winter.

If you dispute a charge or believe your meter reads inaccurately, request a meter test through BGE. There's no charge if the meter is faulty; you pay a fee if it's functioning correctly. Tests take two to four weeks.

Keep BGE's customer service number (800-685-0123) and the emergency shutoff line (877-235-5325) in your phone. Knowing these separates a minor inconvenience from a stressful situation during a cold snap when thousands of other Baltimoreans are also calling.