|
|
HEATING COSTS EXPECTED TO INCREASE
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 -- 2:17 pm
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
Winter heating costs are projected to be 11% higher than last year in the Midwest.
That would translate to $107 over the six-month heating season that began last week, according to the federal Energy Information Administration. The agency said homeowners with natural gas furnaces can expect to pay $1,045 to heat their homes with natural gas between Oct. 1 and March 31.
If the forecast holds, this would be the second-most expensive winter heating season after the winter two years ago, when prices of natural gas spiked dramatically after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The forecast is based on the latest forecast for winter weather from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA projects that temperatures will be 4% colder than last winter but 2% warmer than a normal winter over the past 30 years.
Most homes in Wisconsin rely on natural gas for heating. Those that rely on oil and propane could see even higher jumps -- and all-time highs -- in their winter heating costs. Heating bills for homes that heat with oil are projected to rise 22% in the Midwest, while bills for heated with propane are expected to jump 19%.
|
|
|
VIEW OUR ARCHIVE
|
|
