Heating bills expected to be 15% higher

The "Heating bills expected to be 15% higher" article posted in USA Today talks about the high bills heat consumers should expect to pay this coming winter. The article claims that consumers who warm their homes this winter should expect to pay 15% more than usual.

"The increase reflects higher oil and natural gas prices and a forecast for colder weather than last winter," the Enery Department stated.

Consumers have already seen a higher price in gasoline and electricity due to our slowly deteriorating economy. Congress has already boosted their funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program from $2.57 billion last year to $5.1 billion this year.

Due to the fact that our economy is currently, and will continue to be for some time, in a "slump," it is not surprising in the least bit to learn this news regarding heating bills this coming winter. Perhaps this article will make people more aware and open their eyes to other options such as solar energy or going green. To prepare for the jump in expenses in the months to come i think it would be wise to utilize the weather we currently have by perhaps turning off the air conditioning during the day and opening a window instead. Personally, I try everything I possibly can to keep my GRU bill down as low as possible. Everything from keeping the air off during the daytime (and only turning it on when I go to sleep), to keeping lights off as much as possible really helps to cut down on bills. I am glad I read this article because it made me aware of potential troubles to come.