Utilities 101: Lowering Bills for Avista Customers in Multi-Family Housing

Are you an Avista gas customer living in an apartment or other multi-family unit? Learn how to save money on your gas bill with the multi-family billing rate.

This year, CUB staff found that many households living in multi-family units, such as duplexes, apartments, condos, and more, were not signed up for Avista’s multi-family rates. These lower rates can save you money on your gas bills.

Lower Gas Bills for Multi-family Customers

Make sure you’re paying the right amount for your gas bills! Avista customers who live in multi-family housing have access to a slightly lower billing rate than those in single-family homes.

Multi-family homes include:

• Apartments
• Duplex/Triplex
• Condominiums (Condos)
• And more!

Check Your Avista Bill

First, locate your Avista gas bill either online through your Avista account or by using a physical copy of your bill. Go to page 2, on the back of your bill, and find your “rate schedule” under “Natural Gas Detail.”  Here’s an example of that section:

Make sure you’re on Rate Schedule 411: Multi-family homes are listed as “Rate Schedule 411.” If you see “Rate Schedule 410” (single-family houses), you should contact Avista about switching to the lower multi-family billing rate.

Want more information about reading your Avista gas bill? Check out CUB’s Utilities 101: How to Read Your Avista Gas Bill blog.

Contacting Avista to Update Your Billing Rate

Avista gas customers have two options for requesting to update their billing rate. You can either call or email Avista’s customer service department.

Tip: Have Your Account Number Ready
You can find your account number under your name in the top left corner of your bill.

Calling Customer Service: Customers can call Avista’s customer phone line at 1 (800) 227-9187 from 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Monday through Friday or 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Skip the menu options by pressing zero or asking to speak to an agent. You will be asked to provide your first name, last name, account number, and address to the customer service representative.

Emailing Customer Service: You can also email Customer Service Agent Glenn Crugan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Make sure to include your first name, last name, account number, and address in the email.

Sample Email

Hello,

I live in a multi-family home, but am paying single-family rates. Please help update my billing rate to multi-family (Schedule 411).  My account number is 123456, and I live at 100 Main Street, Ashland, OR 97520.

Thank you,

Jane Smith

Verifying Your Multi-family Housing Status

Once you’ve made your request to change your billing rate, you’re work is done! The next step is for Avista to verify that the address you provided is a multi-family unit.

Avista employees will use county maps to verify that your home is a multi-family unit. If, for some reason, Avista staff cannot digitally verify your address, they will send someone to visually confirm. The service person will not knock on your door or ask to enter your home.

Double-Check Your New Billing Rate

Once your request to update your bill rate has been approved, you’ll see the change on your bill the following month. Double-check that your “rate schedule” is now listed as 411 on your bill after this change has been made, and you’re all set!

Enjoy saving money on your monthly Avista gas bill.

Stay Up to Date on Oregon Utility Issues

CUB will continue to advocate for people in Oregon on major utility issues. Sign up for the CUB email list for the latest updates, action alerts, and news on policies that affect the utilities your home relies on.

Donate to CUB

To keep up with CUB, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and LinkedIn!

 

• Share this post on Facebook.
• Share this post on LinkedIn.
• Share this post with email.

« Back