SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – People in Central New York would need to pay more money to heat their homes this winter. Natural gas prices are expected to soar and will continue to do so through the winter.
National Grid said bills could be higher due to colder-than-expected temperatures, wholesale energy supply prices, global supply and demand and energy use.
Although the winter might be cold and long for Central New York citizens, a home energy assistance program, located in the John H Mulroy Civic Center can help. Cassie Monserrate, director of HEAP said her organization provided help with electricity, natural gas, coal, wood, wood pellets—anything that local citizen needs in their home.
“You can apply in person on by application,” Monserrate said. “You can do it online once the season opens November 1. So, we can maybe alleviate some hard times for (people).”
Applicants to the program will have to meet requirements.
“There are income guidelines that you have to meet,” Said Monserrate .
Monserrate said HEAP would set aside a grant that for each qualified person and send relief money directly to National Grid or to a heating supplier. Also, HEAP had programs for refugees in Syracuse.
“Well, most refugees are eligible for the heat program, depending on their citizen statuses,” Monserrate said. “We use a language line to help them communicate and we also have applications that we can print in multiple languages.”
According to National Grid, the average household would pay $943 more for natural gas heating this winter, a 39% increase than last year.
The Strategic Communications Manager at National Grid, Jared Paventi, said the war in Ukraine certainly impacts the natural gas market. Also, he said there are other factors that have put the natural gas market into a dilemma.
“Warmer weather (this past summer) means that more electricity was used,” Paventi Said. “Most of the electric plants nationally are using natural gas to generate electricity. So, the price is up domestically as well.”
From Paventi, these factors were drove a perfect storm, which led to multi-year highs in natural gas pricing. Also, about 12% of National Grid’s customers’ costs increased due to higher delivery charges that took effect in July. National Grid has increased its delivery charges after negotiating with the New York State Department of Public Service.
“The fees that we collect on our delivery charges help to maintain our network fund our storm response when we do experience outage,” Paventi said. “So, those are the those fees help us to support our customers in the long run.”
Paventi urged customers to check the energy efficiency of their homes. This might provide relief painfully high heating prices.
“One way to do that is take a look at your thermostat,” Paventi said. “Figure out that point where you are comfortable, but don’t sacrifice safety. If you just lower (the thermostat) one degree, you can reduce your energy bill by 1% to 3% annually.”
He also suggested customers blinds open to let in natural light to help heat rooms and close blinds at night to help keep ambient heat in the room, also checked the websites for more suggestions.
Alice Edmond, a National Grid customer, is still worried about her winter budget.
“I honestly shouldn’t be surprised with the way that everything’s been going up, but it’s definitely going to put a damper on my mood, that’s for sure,” Edmond said. “It’ll be a lot more adjusting to reduce how much heat I use.”
To find more information on heating saving tips from National Grid, click HERE. To apply for Home Energy Assistance Program, click HERE.
