Colder than normal temperatures are being reflected in winter heating bills.
Kerry Spees of Wisconsin Public Service says the average temperature in December was 17-percent colder than normal. As a result, he says customers can likely expect a 17-percent increase in their heating bills from last month.
Normally, a spike in demand due to unusual cold will push up natural gas prices, but Spees says that has not really happened this winter. He says they've remained relatively stable, largely because of the unstable economy.
To save energy costs, Spees says turning down the thermostat is one of the best steps to take. He also says to seal drafts, and close off unused rooms.
