Mesa residents urged to prepare for higher winter energy and heating costs

Mesa residents urged to prepare for higher winter energy and heating costs

The Energy Information Administration (EIA), a division of the Department
of Energy, is warning consumers to brace for higher winter heating bills.
As in recent past years, natural gas prices continue to climb in response
to a variety of market forces that are causing Mesa and other natural gas
distribution utilities in Arizona and across the country to pay more for
their natural gas.

The City of Mesa Utilities Department is continuing its efforts to secure
reliable and reasonably prices gas supplies; however, Mesa's customers
should expect to pay more to heat their homes and businesses this winter.
The cost of the natural gas commodity itself is passed on to the customer,
with no mark-up in accordance with adopted rate schedules.

The City uses a variety of methods to purchase natural gas at the lowest
possible cost for its customers, while maintaining reliability of supply.
Such methods include fixing the price for a portion of Mesa's projected gas
needs and monitoring the spot market for advantageously priced incremental
gas supplies. The City of Mesa is encouraging customers to take steps now,
from weatherizing and insulating their homes, and learning and applying
conservation tips to seeking financial assistance through low-income
assistance programs and saving extra dollars now to meet the rising costs.

Saving natural gas or electricity can contribute to a lower monthly bill.
Customers can put to use the following energy-saving tips to help ease the
burden of higher energy bills:

Install a programmable setback thermostat to conveniently and efficiently
control heating costs without sacrificing comfort. Lower the temperature
setting at night and when you are not home.

Check your furnace filter frequently and replace and clean it as needed. A
dirty furnace filter can drive up the cost of heating your home.

Adjust register openings to keep various rooms in your home at the desired
temperature. Remember that heat rises, so you may want to partially close
upstairs registers.

Use drapes, blinds, curtains or shutters on all windows to slow the loss of
heat through the glass. Keep window coverings open on sunny days to let in
the sun's warmth. Close them to insulate against colder air at night.

Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly in cold weather. In
just one hour, these fans can exhaust a houseful of warm air.

Purchase some inexpensive, pre-cut insulation gaskets and seal out the cold
air entering your home through electrical switches and outlet plates,
particularly those on outside walls.

Always put safety first when using your natural gas appliances. Stoves and
ovens should not be used to heat your home.

Visit www.cityofmesa.org/utilities for additional information regarding
natural gas prices and safety. Residents also can get useful information
about energy efficiency at www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/.





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