Frequently Asked Questions

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General:

What is Intelligent Energy®?
Intelligent Energy® (known as Infinite Energy, Inc. in the Southeast) is a natural gas provider for industrial, commercial, and residential customers in seven New York utility areas (Central Hudson, Con Edison, KeySpan Long Island, KeySpan New York City, National Fuel Gas, National Grid and Orange & Rockland), and all four New Jersey utility areas.
What does Intelligent Energy® do?
Intelligent Energy® purchases natural gas supplies for customers in New York and New Jersey and transports these supplies to our customers' utility for delivery to their home or place of business
What is Infinite Energy?
Infinite Energy purchases natural gas supplies for customers in Georgia and Florida and transports these supplies to our customers' utility for delivery to their home or place of business.
How long have you been in business?
We have been doing business as Intelligent Energy® since August 2004. As Infinite Energy we have been doing business since 1994. We sell over $600 million in natural gas annually.
How is Intelligent Energy® different from my utility?
Most utilities offer one pricing arrangement for their customers and you are never sure what it will be. With Intelligent Energy® you have a wide range of pricing options including some that provide the ability to select a price that will not change for 3, 6, 12, or 36 months. That's the Intelligent Choice. As we continue to determine customer needs there will be additional options. Our sophistication and the competitive environment we bring to the Northeast gives out customers 100% reliable gas supply priced the way they want it.
Why would I want a fixed rate?
If someone told you in January of 2005 when gasoline prices averaged $1.87 per gallon that they would sell you all of the gasoline you needed for the next three years at $2.25 per gallon, you may not have taken that deal. Six months later gasoline was well over $2.25 and it reached over $3.00 per gallon in May of 2006. Its hard to find a supplier in the Northeast offering a 36 month (three year) fixed rate. That's one Intelligent Choice available to you right now.
Why does the utility company allow this? Will They be Angry if I Switch?
Energy regulation in your state does not allow your gas utility to make a profit on the natural gas they purchase for you. Instead all utility profits come from the physical delivery of gas within the utility area. In other words they are permitted to make profits only on the pipes they install and maintain to serve you. When Intelligent Energy® sells natural gas to you it has no impact on your utility profits. In fact we make their job easier and less costly. Not only does your utility company allow Intelligent Energy® to sell you natural gas - as good business people they promote this type of energy competition.
What does Intelligent Energy® get out of this?
Intelligent Energy's® skill and experience in gathering, storing, and transporting natural gas allows us to keep our costs down and profit from our expertise. We have to be good to succeed in the competitive energy market where the value and choices we bring to our customers must keep them secure and satisfied.
Why can't I still get just one bill?
There are some utilities that allow Intelligent Energy® to include the cost of their delivery service on our bill. If that's the case you can still get one bill, but it will come from Intelligent Energy®. If the utility does not allow this, you will generally get two bills. We hope this is not too inconvenient, but we are trying to develop a good relationship with our customers - we want you to know who we are and what we can do for you.
Why can't Intelligent Energy® handle both my supply and delivery?
Utility companies are "natural" monopolies - that's actually a good thing! Imagine what it would be like if a dozen energy sellers were digging up your streets to bury gas pipes for their customers. That kind of thing actually happened over a century ago and the governments had to step in and find a way to manage the chaos. The result - gas utilities regulated by the state. The utilities handle local delivery and the state regulators assure that their pricing is fair and equitable. We can't manage the utility's pipes, but we can purchase natural gas for our customers and arrange for the utility to deliver it to your meter with complete reliability.
Can Intelligent Energy® shut off my gas?
No, the control of gas service at your home or place of business remains with your utility. Regulators have assured that your gas supply will be continuous even if your relationship with Intelligent Energy® were to end. You maintain the same consumer protections you have with your utility.
If I switch to Intelligent Energy®, can I decide later to return to the utility?
Yes. If for any reason you decide that you prefer having your gas supplied by the utility, you can switch back subject to the terms of your Intelligent Energy® agreement.
Will the quality of gas/service I receive be different?
No. The natural gas we purchase for our customers comes from the same sources as the gas utilities use - generally the Gulf area, mid-continent, and Western Canada. We use the same storage fields and transport it in the same interstate pipelines that utilities use. Our gas quality standards are the same as the utilities. Your utility will still read your meters, maintain your gas pipes, and respond to emergencies - that's what you pay them for.
What will happen if Intelligent Energy® goes out of business?
In this unlikely situation, you may have an opportunity to select another supplier. If you don't have that opportunity or if you decide not to select another supplier your utility will provide the gas you use.
What should I do if I smell gas?
If you detect a strong odor of gas in your home or place of business you should leave immediately and call your utility from a safe location.
When I get my gas bill I see my consumption in "therms" or "CCFs" - what do these mean?
Your meter measures natural gas in intervals of one hundred cubic feet (CCF). If you use an average of 100 CCF per month (typical for a residential heating customer) that's enough natural gas to fill a ball with a diameter if nearly 27 feet. Some utilities use CCFs to calculate your bill, but most use therms. A therm equals 100,000 BTUs (you generally hear about BTUs when you buy a window mounted air conditioner). A BTU is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. There is a less complicated way to think about this - 1 CCF of natural has equals roughly 1.03 therms.

New Jersey:

Is Budget Billing available from Intelligent?
Budget billing is available and the details will be provided with your welcome letter. Basically, we take your monthly payment determined by multiplying the estimate of annual use provided to us by your utility by our fixed rate, dividing the result by 12 (For NFG and NJNG Only: and an estimate of your annual utility delivery charges by 12). This monthly payment is subject to review and change if necessary every four months to account for variations between the utility estimate and your actual use.
What are the consumer protections provide to New Jersey customers?
The Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act provides NJ residential consumers with protections by setting rules that energy marketers must follow in acquiring and servicing customers. These rules are standards for advertising, marketing, credit, contracts and bills; handling complaints and account terminations. In addition, these rules protect the confidentiality of the information you are providing to us.
How will I know the monthly budget billing amount?
We do this calculation after the utility provides us with the information we need so it will not be available until about the time we prepare your first bill. If you are concerned that the amount you see on that first bill may be incorrect, call us and we will discuss it with you.
How can Intelligent Energy guarantee a fixed price?
Intelligent Energy is able to purchase the volumes of gas it needs to service customers in any future month at a price currently available for future months in the natural gas market. Natural gas futures are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange and the price we get today is guaranteed in the future by the exchange as it is for many traded commodities.
Who is Intelligent Energy?
Intelligent Energy is also known as Infinite Energy outside of the New York area. We have been in business since 1994. We supply Natural Gas directly to homes, businesses and to wholesale buyers who resell the gas to their customers and use gas to generate power. Our knowledge and sophistication allows us to provide our Northeast customers with 100% reliable gas supply at a price that will not change up to 5 years.
I smell gas and have a possible gas leak?
If you detect a strong odor of gas in your home, you should leave immediately and call your utility from a neighbor's house. If you detect a strong odor of gas outside, call your utility and provide the address nearest to where you detected the odor.
What is the Service Fee?
Intelligent Energy's Service Charge is designed to cover our costs related to developing and maintaining our 3 year fixed price - a sophisticated gas supply service that differentiates Intelligent from the utility and our other competitors. You may have noticed that your utility has a similar minimum or base charge even though they do not offer the same valuable pricing arrangement.
Your price is in therms and my utility bill is in CCF's. What is the difference?
Natural Gas is generally sold in units called therms, which is a measure of the heating value of gas. Your utility still uses CCF, which literally means 100 cubic feet - a measure of volume. The conversion factor is generally 1.025 to 1.050 therms per CCF. To convert our price to CCF, you would multiply it by the utility's conversion factor.
Is Intelligent Energy recognized by the NJ Board of Public Utilities as an eligible energy service company?
Yes, we are recognized as eligible by the PSC and authorized to sell Natural Gas in the PSE&G, New Jersey Natural, Elizabethtown GA and South Jersey Gas territories. (Note: Our license number is GSL-0076).
How much money am I going to save? (Note: Fixed Rate Only.)
Intelligent Energy does not guarantee savings; we guarantee price protection. The utility price changes each month and is subject to cost set by the marketplace. With Intelligent Energy, the price we offer you will be the price you pay every single month for the entire term of the fixed price agreement.
Why is there a Breach of Contract Fee?
Intelligent Energy will be purchasing up to 60 months of gas we estimate you will use right away to assure that your price is protected during the entire period. If you were to terminate your contract early, we would face the risk that the gas we purchased now would have declined in value leaving us with a financial loss. All we ask is that you honor this valuable contract just as we will.
Which services previously provided to me by the utility will I still receive from them?
The utility will continue to read your meter, deliver gas you purchase from Intelligent to your location, respond to emergency calls and provide your lower utility bill, which excludes the gas cost and answer any questions relating to your service just as they do today.
What can I do to avoid the time and expense involved in paying a second bill for gas service?
Intelligent can accept payments automatically drawn from your checking account or major credit card within a few days of our mailing your monthly invoice. This will save checking fees, postage expense and your time.
How may I make my utility payment?
We have several methods for accepting payments. We offer the general Postal address, an overnight postal address and Western Union. In addition, through our customer service department, available at (877) 342-5434 in the Southeast and (800) 724-1880 in the Northeast, we offer the ability to make credit card and ACH payments over the phone.

Our postal address is:
P.O. Box 791263
Baltimore, MD 21279-1263

For overnight mail:
Infinite Energy | Box #791263
c/o SunTrust Bank, Inc.
1000 Stewart Avenue
Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3209

Western Union Payment information:
Western Union Quick Collect Online Payment: www.westernunion.com
Western Union Phone Number: (800) 634-3422
Please contact us for the City and State code prior to calling Western Union.

Western Union Quick Collect service allows us to post your payment to your account within 24 hours.

Western Union's Convenience Pay payments are non-trackable and therefore we will be able to post these types of payments to your account when the payment is received. Therefore, please allow 48 hours for Convenience Pay payments to post to your account.

Please contact your local Western Union outlet to determine if they offer the Quick Collect payment option in-store.

New York:

What can I do to avoid the time and expense involved in paying a second bill for gas service?
Intelligent can accept payment automatically from your checking account or major credit card within a few days of our mailing of your monthly invoice. This will save checking fees, postage expense and your time.
How does the utility get paid, if the only bill I get is from Intelligent Energy?
We have a special arrangement with your utility. They will bill us for your delivery service charges and we will pay them directly.
I smell gas and have a possible gas leak?
If you detect a strong odor of gas in your home, you should leave immediately and call your utility from a neighbor's house. If you detect a strong odor of gas outside, call your utility and provide the address nearest to where you detected the odor.
Is Budget Billing available from Intelligent?
Budget billing is available and the details will be provided with your welcome letter. Basically, we take your monthly payment determined by multiplying the estimate of annual use provided to us by your utility by our fixed rate, dividing the result by 12 (for NFG and NJN Only: and an estimate of your annual utility delivery charges divided by 12). This monthly payment is subject to review and change if necessary every four months to account for variations between the utility estimate and your actual use.
What are the consumer protections provided to New York Customers?
HEFPA provides NY State residential consumers with protections concerning termination of service with particular emphasis on customers with medical difficulties disabilities, financial difficulty and those who are elderly. It provides mechanisms for deferred payment of overdue amounts, protection of heating service for tenants, rules for applying late payment charges and rules for the contents of your bill among other items.
How will I know the monthly budget billing amount?
We do this calculation after the utility provides us with the information we need so it will not be available until about the time we prepare your first bill. If you are concerned that the amount you see on the first bill may be incorrect, call us and we will discuss it with you.
How can Intelligent Energy guarantee a fixed price?
Intelligent Energy is able to purchase the volumes of gas it needs to service customers in any future month at a price currently available for future months in the natural gas market. Natural gas futures are traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange and the price we get today is guaranteed in the future by the exchange as it is for many traded commodities.
Who is Intelligent Energy?
Intelligent Energy is also known as Infinite Energy outside of the New York area. We have been in business since 1994. We supply natural gas directly to homes, businesses and whole sale buyers who resell the gas to their customers and use gas to generate power. Our knowledge and sophistication allows us to provide our Northeast customers with 100% reliable gas supply at a fixed price that will not change for up to 5 years.
What is the Service Fee?
Intelligent Energy's Service Charge is designed to cover our costs related to developing and maintaining our 3 year fixed price - a sophisticated gas supply service that differentiates Intelligent from the utility and our other competitors. You may have noticed that your utility has minimum or base charges even though they do not offer the same valuable pricing arrangement.
Is Intelligent Energy recognized by the NY Public Service Commission as an eligible energy service company?
Yes, we are recognized as eligible by the PSC and authorized to sell Natural Gas in Central Hudson, Con Edison, KeySpan, National Fuel, National Grid and Orange & Rockland territories.
How much money am I going to save? (NOTE: Fixed Rate Only)
Intelligent Energy does not guarantee savings; we guarantee price protection. The utility price changes each month and is subject to cost set by the marketplace. With Intelligent Energy, the price we offer you will be the price you pay every single month for the entire term of the fixed price agreement.
Your price is in therms and my utility bill is in CCF's. What is the difference?
Natural Gas is generally sold in units called therms, which is a measure of the heating value of gas. Your utility still uses CCF, which literally means 100 cubic feet - a measure of volume. The conversion factor is generally 1.025 to 1.050 therms per CCF. To convert our price to CCF you would multiply it by the utility's conversion factor.
Which services previously provided to me by the utility will I still receive from them?
The utility will continue to read your meter, deliver gas you purchase from Intelligent to your location, respond to emergency calls, provide your lower utility bill, which excludes the gas cost and answer any question relating to your service just as they do today.
In what way will the utility delivery charges be lower? Note: NY ONLY!!
Customers who switch to gas marketers, like Intelligent Energy, save on their delivery service bill. Depending on the utility, they may provide either a discount per therm or a monthly discount from their minimum charge. In addition, customers who switch to gas marketers pay no sales tax on the delivery portion of their bill.
How may I make my utility payment?
We have several methods for accepting payments. We offer the general Postal address, an overnight postal address and Western Union. In addition, through our customer service department, available at (877) 342-5434 in the Southeast and (800) 724-1880 in the Northeast, we offer the ability to make credit card and ACH payments over the phone.

Our postal address is:
P.O. Box 791263
Baltimore, MD 21279-1263

For overnight mail:
Infinite Energy | Box #791263
c/o SunTrust Bank, Inc.
1000 Stewart Avenue
Glen Burnie, MD 21061-3209

Western Union Payment information:
Western Union Quick Collect Online Payment: www.westernunion.com
Western Union Phone Number: (800) 634-3422
Please contact us for the City and State code prior to calling Western Union.

Western Union Quick Collect service allows us to post your payment to your account within 24 hours.

Western Union's Convenience Pay payments are non-trackable and therefore we will be able to post these types of payments to your account when the payment is received. Therefore, please allow 48 hours for Convenience Pay payments to post to your account.

Please contact your local Western Union outlet to determine if they offer the Quick Collect payment option in-store.