COLUMBUS, Ind. — Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana has announced that customers will likely see higher natural gas bills this winter than in previous years. Although higher than last year, natural gas prices continue to be low and stable. With that said, bills could still be about $12 per month higher this year. Based upon expected natural gas usage during normal winter weather, customers might expect to pay around $395 over the five-month heating season of November through March.
“Last winter was extremely mild so a likely return to more normal weather, coupled with slightly higher gas prices, may lead to higher bills this heating season,” said Brad Ellsworth, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-South. “The good news is that gas bills remain very affordable compared to historic highs we experienced prior to 2010. In the early 2000s, for example, customers saw five-month bill totals around $700 to $750.”
Bills will vary by customer depending on the size and age of the home, number of gas appliances, number in the household, thermostat settings and levels of insulation. Vectren has useful tools to help customers manage their energy bills. Visit Vectren.com/energyefficiency or call 1-866-240-8476 for a list of rebates, qualifying appliances and energy efficiency tips.
There is also an Energy Assistance Program (EAP), an assistance program for income-eligible customers. Those that fall within 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines should visit their local community action agency to sign up for the EAP. To apply, call 1-800-872-0371. Community action agencies will begin taking applications for all energy assistance programs on November 1, 2016.
Additionally, all eligible customers who qualify for the EAP will automatically be enrolled in the Universal Service Program (USP), which provides additional gas bill reductions that range from 15-32 percent of the total bill received during the months of December through May. This program provides about $5 million in assistance each year to roughly 25,000 Vectren Indiana customers, including crisis assistance dollars.
