Winter heating costs expected to be lower across the countryOct 14 - Deseret News (UT)
U.S. residents can anticipate spending less money to heat their homes via natural gas, electricity, heating oil or propane than last winter, which was 11 percent colder than the 10- year average nationally. A new analysis by the U.S. Energy Information Administration said the decreased demand plus a cut in prices are driving the cost of propane and heating oil down 27 percent and 15 percent, respectively. While most Utah residences and businesses rely on natural gas and electricity for heat, those household costs will dip as well - with expenditures predicted to be 5 percent and 2 percent lower. "U.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," said Adam Sieminski , energy information administrator. The report said forecast temperatures east of the Rocky Mountains - where some parts of the country last winter clocked the lowest temperatures in a century - are expected to be anywhere from 11 percent to 16 percent higher in the Northeast, Midwest and South. In the West, the temperatures this winter are expected to be on average 5 percent higher than last year, according to the analysis. The report notes that household costs for winter electricity bills will be lower in all regions despite higher prices because of the reduced demand. The same holds true for natural gas-heated homes because while natural gas is anticipated to cost 6 percent more, all regions will experience reduced consumption. Consumers will also see some relief at the pump, according to the Energy Information Administration report. Due in large part to falling crude oil prices, U.S. regular retail gasoline prices fell to $3.41 a gallon in September. Those costs are expected to continue their downward spiral into December, when the price could decline to an average of $3.14 per gallon. Earlier this month, Questar Gas announced it is requesting a decrease in its Utah natural gas rates. If approved by the Public Service Commission of Utah , the annual bill for the typical residential customer will decrease by about $21 beginning Nov. 1 . The utility also has assistance programs for residents who have a tough time making their monthly payments. The U.S. Energy Information Administration is a statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy which grew out of the oil crisis in 1974, tasked with disseminating independent and impartial energy information. Email: amyjoi@deseretnews.com http://www.energycentral.com/functional/news/news_detail.cfm?did=33973754& |