What is the difference between a fixed and a variable natural gas rate?

A fixed rate per therm cannot change for the length of the term, usually 12 months. A variable rate can change every month, for any reason, with no cap. A fixed rate buys certainty, not a discount: it can be above or below the variable rate on the day you sign.

What happens when a fixed-rate term ends?

Most plans roll onto the marketer's standard variable rate unless you act. That rate is not capped and can be well above what you were paying. Note your end date when you sign.

Are introductory variable rates included in this comparison?

No. Introductory and promotional variable rates run for a short window, often a single month, and then revert to the marketer's ongoing variable rate, so only standard variable rates are compared here. They are listed separately on the variable rates page.

Fixed vs. variable natural gas rates in Georgia, November 2026

In the Georgia PSC's November 2026 filings, every one of the nine marketers with both an eligible standard variable rate and an eligible standard 12-month fixed rate priced variable gas higher per therm than its fixed rate. The median gap was $1.400 per therm above fixed. At the PSC's 52-therm monthly example, including the difference in marketer service charges, the median monthly difference was $72.80 more on variable.

What changes between the two

Standard 12-month fixed and standard variable plans compared.
	12-month fixed	Variable
Price per therm	Locked for the term	Can change every month, for any reason, with no cap
Monthly bill	Still moves with your usage, the marketer's service charge and Atlanta Gas Light's charges	Moves with usage, those charges and the rate itself
If gas prices rise	Your rate stays where it is	The marketer can raise your rate
If gas prices fall	Your rate stays where it is	Your rate falls only if the marketer lowers it
Contract	A term, usually with an early termination fee if you leave mid-term	No term; check the plan for any exit fee
When the term ends	Most plans roll onto the marketer's standard variable rate unless you act	No term to end; the rate carries on month to month

This month's same-marketer comparison

Standard 12-month fixed and standard variable rates filed by the same marketer with the Georgia PSC for November 2026, alphabetical. The last column is variable minus fixed at the PSC's 52-therm monthly example.
Marketer	12-month fixed rate	Standard variable rate	Monthly difference at 52 therms
Constellation	$0.819/therm	$0.959/therm	+$7.28
Fuel Georgia	$0.590/therm	$1.990/therm	+$72.80
Gas South	$0.650/therm	$2.110/therm	+$75.92
Georgia Natural Gas	$0.679/therm	$2.359/therm	+$83.36
SCANA Energy	$0.679/therm	$2.099/therm	+$72.84
Stream Energy	$0.659/therm	$1.590/therm	+$49.41
Town Square Energy	$0.897/therm	$0.940/therm	+$2.24
True Natural Gas	$0.646/therm	$2.060/therm	+$73.53
Walton EMC Natural Gas	$0.699/therm	$2.069/therm	+$71.24

The monthly difference is (variable rate − fixed rate) × 52 therms + (variable service charge − fixed service charge). The Atlanta Gas Light base charge is the same on both plans, so it cancels.

We use the explicit signup service charge where available, otherwise the high end of the filed range, consistent with our ranking methodology. Your service charge, actual consumption and delivery charges can differ from the chart's example.

Which should you choose

Fixed if a surprise on a winter bill would hurt, or you will not look at your rate again for a year. It gives you a predictable price per therm for the term; the bill still moves with your usage, service charges and AGL charges.
Variable if you are moving soon or on a short lease (see the movers and renters guide), or you will check the rate every month and switch when it moves.

If you already have a fixed contract, check its exit fee before you switch. Whichever you choose, compare on estimated annual cost: the standard 12-month fixed rates, all fixed terms and variable rates are ranked that way. More on the tradeoffs in should I get a fixed or variable rate, and on the process in how switching works in Georgia.

What this comparison does not tell you

One month is not a forecast. A variable rate can change next month, so multiplying this month's difference by 12 would assume nothing else moves.
Introductory and promotional variable offers are excluded; only standard variable rates are compared. The introductory rates are on the variable rates page.
Rows the marketer limits to existing customers are excluded.
Some fixed rows carry regional limits, such as a single delivery area. Check the plan notes on the Georgia rates hub before assuming you qualify.

For a dated deep dive, read our October 2026 comparison of standard fixed and variable rates.

Fixed vs variable questions

Short answers from this month's filings and the plan-types guide.

What is the difference between a fixed and a variable natural gas rate?: A fixed rate per therm cannot change for the length of the term, usually 12 months. A variable rate can change every month, for any reason, with no cap. A fixed rate buys certainty, not a discount: it can be above or below the variable rate on the day you sign.
Is a variable gas rate cheaper than a fixed rate in Georgia this month?: In the Georgia PSC's November 2026 filings, every one of the nine marketers with both an eligible standard variable rate and an eligible standard 12-month fixed rate priced variable gas higher per therm than its fixed rate. The median gap was $1.400 per therm above fixed. At the PSC's 52-therm monthly example, including the difference in marketer service charges, the median monthly difference was $72.80 more on variable. One month's filing is not a forecast: a variable rate can change next month.
What happens when a fixed-rate term ends?: Most plans roll onto the marketer's standard variable rate unless you act. That rate is not capped and can be well above what you were paying. Note your end date when you sign.
Are introductory variable rates included in this comparison?: No. Introductory and promotional variable rates run for a short window, often a single month, and then revert to the marketer's ongoing variable rate, so only standard variable rates are compared here. They are listed separately on the variable rates page.

Sources

The Georgia PSC's November 2026 fixed chart and November 2026 variable chart, from its Marketers Pricing Index. The Georgia Public Service Commission does not rank or endorse marketers. Open Natural Gas is not paid by any marketer and no marketer can pay for placement.

Before you switch

All guides

Which plan type to choose
The six kinds of natural gas plan a Georgia marketer can sell you, what each one actually commits you to, and who each is genuinely for.
How to switch marketer
What switching gas marketer in Georgia actually involves: the 19th-of-the-month deadline, what it costs to leave a contract early, and what does not change at your house.
Best time to switch
We checked every month the Georgia PSC has published since 2019 for a seasonal bargain. There is barely one, and the year you shop matters far more than the month.
Advertised vs filed rates
Georgia marketers routinely advertise rates below the ones they file with the PSC. Those offers can be real, but the conditions are where they fall apart, so here is what to ask.