Winter Home Heating Could Cost a Bundle

When Arkansas residents turn on the heat at home, they`ll definitely feel it -- in their wallets. Higher natural gas prices are expected to cost residential gas customers another 20% this winter season. The average gas customer paid $85 to $89 dollars a month last year. The experts are predicting those bills could top $100 this year. To keep bills in check, the Public Service Commission says residents can only take steps to conserve energy. Experts advise turning down the thermostat when you can, tune up your heating system for better efficiency and adding extra insulation. "If you put a layer of insulation over the insulation you have now, you just about doubled your savings," explained Bobby Fuller at Fuller and Son Hardware. Public Service Commission Director John Bethel advises customers to sign up for levellized or average billing with their gas companies as well. "A customer as opposed to having a $250 gas bill in the month of January could have an $80 gas bill 12 months out of the year," Bethel explained.