WPS estimates 25 percent increase in winter heating

From an editorial in the Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Climbing natural gas prices are expected to turn up the heat on winter heating bills this year, but residents can get to work now to start the savings.

Heating your home this winter could cost nearly 25 percent more than last year, according to Wisconsin Public Service Corp. estimates based on normal temperatures.

Last year's heating bill for an average user was about $750 for 900 therms of natural gas from Nov. 1 to March 31. This year, predictions put that price tag at $940 for 900 therms of natural gas — an average of $45 a month, said Kerry Spees, a spokesman for WPS.

It's a relief from predictions earlier this year of increases up to 50 percent, he said.

"The numbers are dropping," Spees said. "It's looking better. It's not looking good yet, but it's looking better."

A mild entry into winter will help keep those costs lower — as would a warm, but not hot, end to summer, he said.

Last year's winter was colder and longer than usual, Spees said, which required more natural gas, driving up the demand.

"The supply was the same, but the demand was up so the price is up," he said. "It's economics 101."

Keeping the thermostat down in the winter is a big energy saver; each degree could save about 3 percent on a heating bill, he said.

Maintenance such as replacing an old furnace or caulking and weather stripping cracks and windows help as well. And annual tune-ups may be easier to do now than later, said Randy Van Den Elzen, owner of Van's Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. in De Pere.

"Make sure your furnace works before it gets cold and then you can save money from the day you start using it," he said.

Air leaks in a home are the No. 1 reason customers lose energy and spend more on their heating bills, he said.

"If you caulk windows all the way around, it's almost as good as a new window," Van Den Elzen said.

Customers who aren't sure what would be the most efficient use of their time and money can set up home performance testing, he said.