Relief in sight for home heating bills
Staying warm this winter will most likely cost less with energy experts forecasting that milder temperatures will keep people from having to crank up the heat.
鈥淯.S. households in all regions of the country can expect to pay lower heating bills this winter, because temperatures are forecast to be warmer than last winter and that means less demand for heat,鈥� stated Adam Sieminski, administrator of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) for the U.S. Department of Energy.
After last year蘑菇视频 unusually cold winter, the EIA said households can expect lower heating expenses during the October through March heating season.
Brynnly Schwartz, community relations specialist for Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, said natural gas prices continue to remain low and stable for the state蘑菇视频 419,167 customers.
In it蘑菇视频 annual 鈥淲inter Fuels Outlook,鈥� the EIA predicts the biggest savings will be for customers using propane with an estimated savings of nearly $700 on their heating bills.
Those using other heating sources will also benefit with oil expected to fall by $362 and electricity by $17.
Unlike other heating fuels, the EIA said electricity expenses are less sensitive to the winter heating demand because it is also used to power dozens of appliances and equipment in the home that doesn鈥檛 vary with the weather.
The Energy Department predicts natural gas customers will see bills fall throughout the heating season to $649 from $680 last year.
Schwartz said starting in October, the price of natural gas per quarter for residential customers is 52-cents per therm up one-cent over this time last year.
According to Schwartz, the average residential bill per quarter at the current rate is $86.30.
Columbia Gas currently provides service to 24,672 customers in Fayette, 3,028 customers in Greene and 45,020 customers in Washington counties.
Schwartz said it蘑菇视频 important to know that the actual cost of gas is then passed on to Columbia Gas customers dollar for dollar.
鈥淲e do not add any markups鈥� by Pennsylvania law, we cannot profit off the cost of gas.鈥�
About one-half of all U.S. households use natural gas as their primary heating fuel, which is also the cheapest heating source, according to the EIA.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that last year蘑菇视频 extreme weather patterns increased the demand for all heating fuels, led to a draw down of inventories and increased prices.
Schwartz said Columbia Gas offers several assistance programs to help manage winter heating costs for customers struggling with household budgets.
According to Schwartz, the company had 21,200 customers enrolled in its Cash Assistance Program last year- the largest number since 2011.
Information on the various programs and guidelines can be found on the company蘑菇视频 website at www.columbiagaspa.com.