Prospects are looking much better for winter heating costs. Kerry Spees of Wisconsin Public Service says earlier this year, prices for natural gas were near record levels. Spees says they have since come down. “In the last couple of months the natural gas market prices have dropped precipitously,” says Spees. “Projections earlier in the year were maybe 25 percent higher than last year in heating costs. Now we're down to maybe 5 percent higher than last year.”
Spees says winter heating costs will also depend on mother nature: unusually cold temperatures can push up demand, causing natural gas prices to go up as well. Spees says to conserve energy when you can. turn down the thermostat, have adequate insulation, and close curtains at night. During the day, you want curtains open on windows facing the sun.