Find Natural Gas Rates Faster by Replacing Manual Methods
Some organizations save so much time by using RateAcuity that they acknowledge they would have to hire one or more full-time employees if they ever went back to finding natural gas rates the old way.
The old way, of course, is the manual way. Manually visiting websites, manually searching for schedules, manually copying and pasting rate data into spreadsheets, and more. Finding natural gas rates is inefficient and boring. But most of all, it’s time-consuming. Here’s why.
1. Nothing is in one place
Searching for natural gas rates by hand means finding and then visiting the individual websites of each state public regulator and each website of each utility one at a time. The larger the number of sites you must visit, the less time you have to invest in higher-value activities. RateAcuity, on the other hand, does this heavy lifting for you. We visit these sites automatically, and then consolidate their data in one place.
2. Sources are inconsistent
Searching for natural gas rates manually is a time-consuming task due to the inconsistent navigation and search functions you find on the websites of state public regulators and utilities. Some sites make their rates and schedules easy to find. Other sites, not so much. RateAcuity, by way of contrast, uses a consistent user interface that never changes, no matter whose schedules you are looking for.
3. Schedules are inconsistent in their organization & layout
Navigating state public regulator and utility websites quickly reveals a major challenge: each presents their data differently. The lack of standardization across entities turns a straightforward task into a frustrating hunt for information. You end up combing through pages, reports, and appendices just to locate comparable data.
Here are some common inconsistencies:
- Fixed monthly charges: One regulator places them prominently on page 1, another buries them at the bottom of page 2, while a third hides them in the appendix.
- Usage-based charges: These might appear on a separate line for one regulator, in a sidebar for another, or in a dedicated column for a third.
The RateAcuity natural gas rate database solves this problem with standardized formats. We compile rate information from state public regulator websites and utility websites and organize it uniformly. Fixed monthly charges, usage-based charges and other key data are always in the same location, no matter the source. This consistency saves you time, eliminates guesswork, and minimizes errors.
4. Different naming conventions
Speaking of inconsistencies, some state regulators and utilities use different naming conventions. They refer to the same piece of data in different ways. One organization calls it an Energy Charge while another calls it a Consumption Fee. One organization calls it a Green Energy Surcharge, another calls it a Renewable Energy Rider, while yet another organization calls it a Sustainability Fee. Making sense of all of these terms for the same thing wastes time and energy. A better way is to use a database like RateAcuity that standardizes terms across all schedules and all regulators and utilities.
5. Data in formats you can’t easily use
Searching for natural gas rates manually is also a time-intensive process because regulators and utility websites often publish their schedules as Word documents or PDFs designed for reading, not efficient searching. As a result, you must waste hours each week on tasks that could be completed in seconds with the help of a utility rate database that makes all schedules available for download as Excel spreadsheets. Simply find the tariff you want, click the download button, and save all the numbers you need as a ready-made spreadsheet, ready for conducting your comparisons.
6. Not designed for search
Most regulators and utilities design their schedules for browsing, not search. This means that finding tariff data on state public regulatory websites varies greatly—some states make it easy, while others make it frustratingly difficult. In contrast, RateAcuity organizes data by state, utility, and other search criteria, significantly speeding up the search process. Imagine three clicks instead of twelve, or fifteen seconds instead of a minute. Some organizations report saving hours for every review they conduct.
Conclusion: Save time and effort with RateAcuity
Manually finding natural gas rates is a tedious, inconsistent, and time-consuming process. The inefficiencies stem from scattered data sources, inconsistent formats and naming conventions, and schedules designed for browsing rather than searching. Every step—from locating websites to interpreting varying terms—adds unnecessary complexity and wastes valuable time.
RateAcuity offers a smarter alternative. By consolidating natural gas rate data into one comprehensive, standardized database, RateAcuity eliminates the frustration of manual searches. With features like uniform layouts, consistent terminology, and easy-to-download Excel spreadsheets, RateAcuity saves you hours, streamlines your processes, and minimizes errors.
Stop wasting time on outdated methods. Let RateAcuity simplify your search for natural gas rates and help your organization work more efficiently. Contact us today to learn more or request a demo of our natural gas rate database.