Learn from the pros

or to investigate and correct a leak — it will put a temporary patch on the impacted area and then pave it when asphalt starts churning again.

My monthly bill just spiked. Could it be that I have a leak?

As Mr. Dochinez puts it, “never say never” but if you have a leak big enough to actually make a dent in your monthly bill, your neighbors would be calling it in. Because gas is cheap -— People’s current residential rate is $6.76 per thousand cubic feet -— the leak would have to be tremendous to appreciably impact a bill. And given how strong the odor would be from such a massive leak, a bill spike wouldn’t be the first indication of a problem.

Monthly bills are based mostly on how much gas you use. Consumption patterns can change if someone recently moved in with you or if you purchased a new large appliance. Although rare, there could also be errors in meter reading, a faulty appliance or a dirty air filter. Meanwhile, the distribution rates change infrequently and only after scrutiny from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

I think the gas company is mixing gas with air to charge me more.

This is actually something people ask Peoples. For the record, the answer is no.

How much is the gas company marking up the cost of the gas?

Not at all, because it’s not allowed to. The gas company makes a return on other services — such as getting the gas to you and replacing old pipes — but not on the actual cost of the gas. It takes what the market gives it and sends it on its way.