Consumers Energy provides both natural gas and electricity, depending on where you live in Michigan

Consumers Energy is a utility company that serves parts of Michigan. In some areas, they deliver only electricity to your home. In other areas, they deliver only natural gas. In still other areas, they deliver both. Which one you get depends entirely on your address — not on what you choose.

The company does not let you pick one service over the other. If natural gas lines run to your neighborhood, Consumers Energy will deliver gas to homes that want it. If only electric lines reach your area, you get electricity. Many customers in Consumers Energy's service territory receive both fuels from the same company, which means one bill covers heating, cooking, and powering appliances.

Key Takeaways

  • Consumers Energy delivers natural gas, electricity, or both depending on which infrastructure exists at your address in Michigan.
  • You cannot choose to receive only one service if both are available — the utility decides based on the lines that serve your neighborhood.
  • Your bill will show separate charges for gas and electric if you receive both, with different rates for each.
  • You can find out which services reach your address by entering your zip code on the Consumers Energy website or calling their customer service line.

How to find out what Consumers Energy delivers to your address

The fastest way is to visit the Consumers Energy website and use their service area map. Enter your zip code or street address, and the map will show you whether gas, electric, or both services are available at that location. This takes about one minute and gives you a definitive answer.

If the online map does not work or you want to confirm by phone, call Consumers Energy customer service at 1-800-477-5050. Have your street address ready. A representative can tell you when ready which services are available and what the rates are for each.

The difference between natural gas and electricity on your bill

If you receive both services, your Consumers Energy bill will have two separate sections. One section shows your electricity usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and the cost per kWh. The other section shows your natural gas usage in therms and the cost per therm. The rates are different because the two fuels are priced differently and used for different purposes.

Electricity typically powers lights, appliances, air conditioning, and water heaters. Natural gas typically heats your home and may power your stove or furnace. Some homes use gas for water heating instead of electricity. Your bill will reflect whichever fuel you actually use.

What happens if you only want one service

If both gas and electric lines serve your home but you want to use only one, you have limited options. You cannot ask Consumers Energy to remove the gas line or electric line — the utility owns that infrastructure and maintains it for the neighborhood. You can choose not to use one service, but you will still pay a base charge for the line that reaches your home, even if you do not use it.

The most practical approach is to use whichever service makes sense for your needs and budget. If you want to heat your home with electricity instead of gas, you can do that, but you will pay the gas base charge. If you want to cook with gas instead of electric, you can do that, but you will pay the electric base charge. The base charge is usually small — typically a few dollars per month — compared to the cost of actually using the fuel.

Understanding your Consumers Energy bill

Your bill shows usage charges and base charges separately. The base charge is what you pay just to have the line available, whether you use it or not. The usage charge is what you pay for the actual gas or electricity you consume. Both appear on the same bill if you receive both services.

The bill also shows your meter readings — the numbers that measure how much gas or electricity you used during the billing period. Consumers Energy reads these meters monthly, usually on the same day each month. You can also read your own meter and compare it to the bill to verify the numbers are correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from gas to electric heat if Consumers Energy serves my area?

Yes, you can install an electric heating system, but you will still pay Consumers Energy's base charge for the gas line. The base charge is typically $10 to $15 per month. You would need to contact a heating contractor to install the new system, which is a separate cost from your utility bill.

What if I only see one service on my bill?

That means only one service is available at your address. Consumers Energy does not deliver the other fuel to your neighborhood. If you need both services, you may need to contact a different utility or a private provider for the missing fuel.

How do I know if my address is in Consumers Energy's service area?

Use the service area map on the Consumers Energy website by entering your zip code, or call 1-800-477-5050. The company serves parts of Michigan but not all of it. If your address is not in their territory, a different utility company serves you.

Do I pay different rates for gas and electricity?

Yes. Natural gas and electricity are priced per different units — gas per therm, electricity per kilowatt-hour — and the rates reflect the cost to deliver each fuel. Your bill shows the rate for each service separately. Rates can change seasonally and may vary based on usage.