WTHR |Lower heating bills predicted for winter

Lower heating bills predicted for winter

The difference between this year's heating bills and last year's will be dramatic. Consumers saw their bills shoot up after two hurricanes took out much of the nation's natural gas production. On Thursday, natural gas producers say supplies are at record highs.

It was near-panic from natural gas producers as they warned customers last year of high winter heating bills after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita took down 90 percent of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest source of natural gas in the US. While a warmer than normal winter eased the energy crunch on Indiana consumers, heating homes with natural gas remained expensive.

"It was like $200 a month and the coldest month, it was about $300," said Rosie White, Indianapolis resident.

While the average bill for Citizens Gas customers jumped 18 percent last winter, what a difference a year can make. On Thursday, natural gas producers predicted lower heating bills for consumers due to record supplies of the fuel in storage as the winter heating season approaches.

"Customers should see lower bills this winter," said Dan Considine, Citizens Gas.

Natural gas prices have been falling since spring, now at a third of what they were at this time last year. Indiana gas utilities won't issue their forecast of winter heating bills until next month when the government issues its prediction, it's clear that supply won't be an issue.

"Fortunately this year the weather's been kind to us, production's coming back on line, so it's moving in the right direction and that's what we like to see," Considine said.

Still, a cold winter could bump consumers' monthly bills, but the last decade has seen more warm winters than cold.

"I'm hoping it'll be lower this year. I'm looking forward to it," said Joseph Jones.

That's huge departure from last year when forecasts for keeping your home warm during winter left consumers with a cold. Still, it's probably worth checking out some energy-saving ideas to maximize your energy efficiency.

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