Allentown, Pennsylvania Commercial Natural Gas

Allentown Commercial Natural Gas: Lehigh Valley Hub

Allentown—Pennsylvania's third-largest city and the heart of the Lehigh Valley—offers significant natural gas savings opportunities for businesses. From manufacturing operations to massive logistics centers, from healthcare facilities to commercial development, Allentown's diverse commercial sector can benefit from Pennsylvania's deregulated energy market.

Understanding how to navigate natural gas procurement helps Allentown businesses reduce operating costs effectively.

How Natural Gas Works in Allentown

UGI Utilities Service

UGI Utilities provides natural gas delivery throughout Allentown and the Lehigh Valley:

• Distribution network: Owns and maintains local pipelines
• Meter services: Records all usage
• Emergency response: 24/7 service (800-276-2722)
• Billing: Consolidated delivery and supply

UGI Utilities serves Central and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Choice Program

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) regulates supplier choice:

• Licensed natural gas suppliers compete
• Consumer protection regulations
• Seamless switching between suppliers
• UGI Utilities continues reliable delivery

Service Structure

Component	Provider	Competitive?
Gas delivery	UGI Utilities	No—regulated
Gas supply	UGI or supplier	Yes
Meter reading	UGI Utilities	No
Billing	UGI Utilities	Consolidated

Cost Reduction Strategies for Allentown

1. Compare Natural Gas Suppliers

Allentown businesses have supplier options:

Evaluation Factor	What to Consider
Per-therm rate	Base commodity cost
Rate type	Fixed, variable, or index
Contract term	12-36 months typical
Monthly fees	Additional charges
Exit provisions	Early termination costs

Visit PA Power Switch for licensed supplier listings.

2. Leverage Volume

Allentown organizations can negotiate based on consumption:

• Under 10,000 therms: Standard commercial rates
• 10,000-50,000 therms: Custom quotes available
• 50,000+ therms: Direct negotiations
• Industrial: Custom and portfolio pricing

Manufacturers and distribution centers should request custom pricing.

3. Strategic Timing

Natural gas prices fluctuate seasonally. Monitor EIA data:

Favorable periods:

• Late spring and summer
• After mild winters
• High storage levels

Higher cost periods:

• Peak heating season
• Extreme cold events
• Supply constraints

Allentown's winters make timing valuable.

4. Regional Aggregation

Lehigh Valley businesses benefit from aggregation:

• Multiple Allentown facilities
• Lehigh County operations
• Lehigh Valley regional (Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton)
• Multi-facility coordination

Combined volume improves negotiating position.

Industries We Serve in Allentown

Manufacturing

Lehigh Valley industrial base:

• Manufacturing operations
• Industrial processing
• Food and beverage
• Advanced manufacturing

Explore: Manufacturing Natural Gas Solutions

Warehousing & Logistics

Major distribution hub:

• Amazon facilities
• FedEx operations
• Distribution centers
• Third-party logistics

See: Warehouse Natural Gas Solutions

Healthcare

Regional healthcare:

• Lehigh Valley Health Network - Major regional system
• St. Luke's University Health Network
• Hospital networks
• Medical facilities

Related: Healthcare Natural Gas Solutions

Commercial Real Estate

Downtown and suburban:

• Office buildings
• Mixed-use developments
• Commercial properties
• Multi-tenant facilities

Explore: Multi-Tenant Natural Gas Solutions

Food Processing

Food industry presence:

• Food processing plants
• Commercial bakeries
• Beverage production
• Cold storage facilities

Restaurants

Lehigh Valley dining:

• Independent restaurants
• Multi-location groups
• Commercial kitchens
• Hospitality operations

See: Restaurant Natural Gas Solutions

Allentown Market Specifics

Lehigh Valley Growth

Regional growth hub:

• Population growth
• Commercial development
• Corporate relocations
• Economic expansion

Logistics Hub

Major distribution center:

• Strategic East Coast location
• Major highway access (I-78, Route 22)
• E-commerce fulfillment
• Warehouse construction boom

NYC/Philadelphia Access

Location advantages:

• Commutable to both major metros
• Lower operating costs
• Labor market access
• Regional connectivity

Economic Diversification

Beyond manufacturing:

• Logistics growth
• Healthcare expansion
• Professional services
• Technology presence

Compare Pennsylvania Cities

Coordinate across Pennsylvania locations:

• Philadelphia - PGW territory
• Pittsburgh - Peoples Gas territory
• Erie - National Fuel Gas territory
• Reading - UGI Utilities territory
• Harrisburg - UGI Utilities territory
• Pennsylvania statewide

Understanding Your Allentown Gas Bill

Bill Components

Your UGI Utilities bill includes:

1. Delivery Charges (UGI Utilities)

• Customer charge (fixed monthly)
• Distribution charge (per Mcf)
• Infrastructure charges
• Taxes and surcharges

2. Supply Charges

• Gas commodity cost (per Mcf/therm)
• From UGI or supplier
• Shopping here creates savings

Rate Schedules

UGI Utilities commercial rate schedules:

Schedule	Description
N-2	Small Commercial
N-3	Large Commercial
DS	Delivery Service

Delivery charges apply regardless of supplier.

Contract Strategies for Allentown

Fixed Rate Contracts

Beneficial for:

• Manufacturing operations
• Distribution centers
• Healthcare facilities
• Winter price protection

Standard terms:

• 12, 24, or 36 months
• Locked per-therm rate
• Early termination fees

Variable/Index Rates

Consider when:

• Flexible budget capacity
• Market monitoring capability
• Shorter-term needs
• Summer operations

Allentown considerations:

• Distribution centers need budgeting certainty
• Manufacturing prefers predictability
• Moderate winters still create exposure

Allentown Recommendations

Given Allentown's industrial and logistics profile:

• Fixed pricing typically preferred
• Portfolio pricing for multi-facility operations
• At least partial fixed recommended
• Monitor market for opportunities

Learn more: Understanding Natural Gas Deregulation

Energy Efficiency in Allentown

UGI Utilities Programs

UGI Utilities offers commercial efficiency programs:

• Equipment rebates
• Custom project incentives
• Energy assessments
• Technical assistance

Visit UGI Business for current offerings.

Pennsylvania Programs

State energy programs through PA DEP:

• Commercial incentives
• Industrial programs
• Technical support
• Financing options

Warehouse Efficiency

Distribution center strategies:

• High-efficiency heating
• Building envelope improvements
• Dock door management
• Temperature control optimization

Get Your Free Allentown Analysis

Natural Gas Advisors helps Allentown and Lehigh Valley businesses optimize natural gas costs:

1. Bill Analysis: Review your current UGI Utilities bills
2. Supplier Comparison: Compare licensed suppliers
3. Contract Review: Evaluate terms and opportunities
4. Negotiation Support: Secure competitive rates
5. Ongoing Management: Monitor renewals and market

No cost to businesses—suppliers compensate us directly.

Whether you operate a manufacturing plant, distribution center, healthcare facility, or any Allentown business, Pennsylvania's Choice program offers real savings opportunities.

The Lehigh Valley is one of America's fastest-growing regions. Let us help grow your energy savings. Contact Natural Gas Advisors today for your complimentary Lehigh Valley energy analysis.