After a lot of viewers had sticker shock over their heating bills last year, you’re probably wondering what you can expect this winter.News 8 talked with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and a company that serves thousands of customers in the Susquehanna Valley about what you can expect and ways to save. Shipley Energy services homes with propane, electricity, heating oil and natural gas. It says everything from the weather to wars can impact what you pay to keep your home warm.The PUC says natural gas drives energy prices. This year, unlike last, the prices are holding steady. “Keep in mind the price to compare will be changing on Dec. 1 of this year, so I encourage consumers to not only look now, but then look post-Dec. 1,” PUC chairman Steve DeFrank said.That’s the deadline for providers to set their prices.PPL has already announced it will lower prices for residential and small business customers. In general, the PUC says you should shop around unless you’re on a heating assistance program.For electric or natural gas customers, the PUC has two websites to check on the energy prices in your community: PAPowerSwitch.com or PAGasSwitch.com.No matter what happens with prices, there may be some ways to help keep your bills down.Try to use as little energy as possible.Since that becomes more difficult as temperatures drop, winterizing your home may be a good idea. Some suggestions include putting plastic over the windows or placing a mat under the door to keep the cold air out.”As I’m always telling my kids, as my parents told me, keep the door closed,” Shipley Group president Matt Sommer said.
After a lot of viewers had sticker shock over their heating bills last year, you’re probably wondering what you can expect this winter.
News 8 talked with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and a company that serves thousands of customers in the Susquehanna Valley about what you can expect and ways to save.
Shipley Energy services homes with propane, electricity, heating oil and natural gas. It says everything from the weather to wars can impact what you pay to keep your home warm.
The PUC says natural gas drives energy prices. This year, unlike last, the prices are holding steady.
“Keep in mind the price to compare will be changing on Dec. 1 of this year, so I encourage consumers to not only look now, but then look post-Dec. 1,” PUC chairman Steve DeFrank said.
That’s the deadline for providers to set their prices.
PPL has already announced it will lower prices for residential and small business customers.
In general, the PUC says you should shop around unless you’re on a heating assistance program.
For electric or natural gas customers, the PUC has two websites to check on the energy prices in your community: PAPowerSwitch.com or PAGasSwitch.com.
No matter what happens with prices, there may be some ways to help keep your bills down.
Try to use as little energy as possible.
Since that becomes more difficult as temperatures drop, winterizing your home may be a good idea. Some suggestions include putting plastic over the windows or placing a mat under the door to keep the cold air out.
“As I’m always telling my kids, as my parents told me, keep the door closed,” Shipley Group president Matt Sommer said.
Read More: What can you expect this winter?