HENDERSON , Ky . – Natural gas prices in the United States have been rising for several months , leading local officials with Henderson Municipal Gas to let customers know to expect increases in the natural gas portion of their utility bill of around 40 - 50 percent during this winter’s heating season .
   “Currently , prices are more than 100 percent greater than they were last year , ” said Tim Clayton , HMG director . “This is mostly due to rising natural gas demands and issues in supply chain and storage . ”
   He said that increased usage of natural gas in power production and warmer than normal temperatures this summer have driven high demand for natural gas in power plants .
   Another factor is that the economy began picking back up over the summer with more natural gas being consumed in industrial settings . Hurricanes have also affected production of natural gas .
   “These factors , and others , led to less natural gas being injected into storage fields for the winter heating season , ” Clayton said . “A combination of these issues has driven prices to where they are now . ”
   He said a colder than normal winter or early cold snap in the U . S . could drive prices even higher in the next couple of months .
   What can consumers do to help manage the situation?
   The City of Henderson recommends that customers take advantage of programs that are in place to help with these increases , such as budget billing and utility assistance programs .
   Customers who haven’t had any late payments for the last 12 months qualify for budget billing , which averages the last 12 bills and adds a contingency for rate increases and atypical weather . Utility customers pay the average amount each month .
   Steps can also be taken to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home this winter .
   Some things that can be done to conserve , whether you use natural gas to heat your home or simply have a few gas - fueled appliances:
   Seal it up
   Check for leaks around windows , doors , and other openings to the outside . Seal these leaks with caulk and keep the warmth in . For the biggest savings , add insulation in the attic . Installing storm windows can also reduce heat loss through windows by approximately 10 - 20 percent . Cover it up
   Cover bare floors with carpet . Wrap old water heaters with proper insulating jackets .  Insulate your plumbing . Clean it up
   Have your furnace inspected regularly by a qualified professional and change filters once per month . Make sure your dryer filter is lint free . Regularly change your air filter in your HVAC systemChange your ways
   Wash cold . Whenever possible , use the cold water setting on your washing machine .  When it ' s cold outside but also sunny , open the blinds during the day to let the sun help heat your home .  Save money by lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter . For every degree you lower your heat in the 60 - degree to 70 - degree range you’ll save up to 5 percent on heating costs . Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automate your HVAC system .  Turn down the water heater . Set your water heater no higher than 120 degrees F .  Cook up energy savings . Use a smaller pan if possible and put a lid on it so the food cooks faster . Use the microwave to heat food whenever possible .  
   Some links to articles about conservation can be found on Henderson Municipal Gas’s Facebook page .
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