Heating Costs Will Make Your Temperature Rise

Daily Times, Delaware County,PA
December 2, 2005

For those of you who are planning to take all that money we’re saving on plummeting gasoline prices and plunk it down on this year’s "must-have" holiday gift, an Xbox 360, we offer the following caveat. First, good luck finding one. They’re rarer than hen’s teeth.

More importantly, you might want to sock that money away. We’d suggest filing it under utilities.

It’s going to be a long, cold winter. Don’t be fooled by this week’s surprisingly balmy temperatures.

"The Big Chill" will be here before you know it. And it’s going to feel even colder to those who are watching their pennies. That’s because heating our homes -- not exactly a luxury in this part of the country -- is going to be a much more expensive proposition this year.

Peco Energy, which supplies the natural gas that heats 470,000 homes in southeastern Pennsylvania, including Delaware County, this week announced rate hikes that likely will cost homeowners anywhere from $50 to $100 more each month to stay warm.

That amounts to a 42-percent hike from the utility’s rates at this time last year.

As with the price of so many things these days, the finger of blame is being pointed at Mother Nature, in particular Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.

Peco gets the bulk of its natural gas from pipelines that originate in the Gulf of Mexico. Much of that system is still in the process of recovering from the havoc wreaked by those storms.

Wipe that smile off your face if you heat with oil. The dip in gasoline prices isn’t exactly being matched by a similar drop in home-heating oil.

Experts indicate that heating your home with oil will cost you a "cool" 50-60 percent more than last year.

This isn’t a luxury we’re talking about. It’s a staple, the same as shelter, food and water. (By the way, those of you who get your water from Aqua Pa. likely will soon be paying more for that, too.)

Most at risk, as they are all too often, by these kinds of spikes in prices are those who can least afford it, the poor, the elderly and those on fixed incomes.

There are some things they can do to ease the pain of heating bills.

The first is simply to conserve. Turn your thermostat down, especially if your home is vacant for long periods of time during the day. You also can usually dial down overnight while you sleep.
The second thing to do is be sure your home is as energy efficient as possible. Peco has a list of things you can do that can help you save as much as 10 percent on your bills. A list of money-saving ideas can be found at www.staywarmpa.org.

Peco also urges customers to take advantage of their budget plans that allow customers to spread the high winter costs out over all 12 months of the year.

Peco also has a program to offer discounted rates, grants and help with weatherization of homes. Customers can call the utility at (800) 774-7040 for more information.

Those who are eligible should also take advantage of the federal government’s low-income heating assistance plan, known as LIHEAP. As many as 37,000 PECO customers took advantage of this plan last year. They will get renewal notices this year. They should file them as soon as possible.

The income limits to be eligible for the program are $12,920 a year for a one-person household; $26,123 for a four-person household. To apply for the LIHEAP program, call (800) 34-HELP-4.

Pennsylvania also is looking to help residents with heating bills. Gov. Rendell this fall launched the "Stay Warm Pa." program. The state Senate has unanimously approved allocating $25 million to supplement the LIHEAP plan. The move was pushed by state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, D-8. The House should OK the plan as soon as possible.

The cold facts are these: We’re all going to be paying more to stay warm this winter. The time to prepare is now, while the frost is still on the pumpkin.

The Big Chill is coming, and it’s taking direct aim on our wallets.