Prepare now for the winter

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October 21, 2009

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Wed Oct 21, 2009, 05:06 PM EDT

Kokomo Gas & Fuel sent us an encouraging e-mail. The utility, serving 36,000 natural gas customers in a six-county area, expects home-heating bills to decrease more than 20 percent this winter.

During the home-heating season – Nov. 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010 – the utility’s typical residential customer is anticipated to pay $574. That’s $168 less than last year’s average.

“As we’ve seen since the end of last year, natural gas prices on the wholesale market have dropped considerably, and we’re looking at a much different picture heading into this winter heating season compared to what we faced last year at this time,” said Eileen O’Neill Odum, CEO of Kokomo Gas. “This is welcome news to our customers planning their household budgets.

“However, we’re anticipating a great need for energy assistance for many of our customers, some of which for the first time, as a direct result of the current economic conditions across the state.”

Area families with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP. All assistance is paid in a lump sum to the applicant’s utility.

If you and your family don’t meet the income requirements, there are ways to manage your home-heating costs this winter. Kokomo Gas recommends taking advantage of “budget” programs many utilities offer.

Kokomo Gas’ BudgetPlan allows customers to spread gas costs over an entire year. Program participants pay an equal amount each month and know how much to budget for their bill.

But the utility also advises other cost-saving measures:

• Schedule a furnace inspection. Filter cleaning and upgrades could be completed now before evenings turn much colder.

• Take a look at your registers and ducts. They trap dust, lint and other debris that reduces the efficiency of your furnace.

• Inspect caulking and weather strips on your outdoor windows.

• Install storm windows if your home has them.

Do what you can now to make your home more energy-efficient and natural gas bills less volatile.

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