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MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – As Indiana prepares for the upcoming winter, Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) is encouraging customers to take steps now to manage energy use, improve home efficiency and explore available bill assistance programs before colder weather arrives.
Based on current natural gas market forecasts and normal weather assumptions, winter heating costs for residential natural gas customers are expected to remain generally consistent with last year's outlook. A typical residential customer using approximately 624.9 therms between November and March could expect total natural gas heating costs of about $684 this winter, compared with $676 last winter. As temperatures drop and furnaces run more frequently, natural gas usage typically increases, making home heating the largest driver of winter energy costs.
- Winter heating costs are expected to remain generally consistent with last year’s outlook under normal weather conditions.
- Home heating is typically the largest driver of natural gas usage and winter energy costs.
- Actual customer bills depend largely on weather and household energy usage.
- Resources to help manage winter energy costs are available at NIPSCO.com.
Your Bill
Each year, NIPSCO joins other Indiana natural gas utilities in sharing a winter heating outlook to help customers plan for the season ahead. While the outlook provides a useful planning tool, actual customer bills may be higher or lower than these estimates.
Weather and household energy usage remain the two largest drivers of winter heating costs. Even when natural gas market prices remain stable or decline, periods of unusually cold weather can increase energy use and result in higher customer bills. This is why customers often experience higher bills in colder months, even when their thermostat remains at the same temperature.
Natural gas bills include two primary components: the cost of natural gas and the cost of delivering natural gas to customers. The cost of natural gas is determined by market conditions and is passed through to customers without markup. NIPSCO does not profit from the sale of natural gas, and these costs are reviewed by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), increased domestic natural gas production and strong storage levels continue to support stable market conditions heading into winter. While demand for natural gas remains strong, available supplies have generally kept pace, helping maintain adequate inventories.
NIPSCO purchases natural gas throughout the year and stores supplies to help manage market volatility and support customer reliability during periods of high winter demand. Delivery charges help support the infrastructure, operations and maintenance required to safely store and deliver natural gas to homes and businesses throughout northern Indiana.
Natural gas is used year-round in many homes for water heating, cooking and clothes drying. During the winter heating season, however, home heating becomes the largest source of natural gas consumption as furnaces run more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
"As temperatures begin to drop, we know many customers are thinking about how utility bills may affect their household budget," said Vince Parisi, NIPSCO President and Chief Operating Officer. "Winter heating costs are influenced by several factors, but colder temperatures and increased energy usage typically have the greatest impact on what customers pay. That's why preparing now through simple efficiency improvements, exploring available assistance options and understanding the factors that affect winter bills can make a meaningful difference throughout the heating season."
Prepare Now For Winter
Because home heating becomes the largest source of natural gas usage during colder months, customers can take several steps now to help improve efficiency and manage winter energy costs:
- Schedule annual furnace inspections and maintenance.
- Replace furnace filters regularly.
- Seal air leaks around windows, doors and other openings.
- Lower thermostat settings when sleeping or away from home.
- Utilize programmable or smart thermostats when available.
NIPSCO offers a variety of energy-efficiency programs, rebates and resources designed to help customers reduce energy use and manage costs. More information is available at NIPSCO.com/SaveEnergy.
Billing and Support Options
Customers experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to visit NIPSCO.com/Assistance or contact NIPSCO's Customer Care Center at 1-800-4-NIPSCO to learn about available resources. Eligible customers may qualify for assistance programs such as LIHEAP, NIPSCO Hardship, SERV (Supply Energy Resources for Veterans) and SILVER (Seniors in Indiana Low-Income and Vulnerable Energy Resources).
Customers can also explore payment plans and billing options designed to help manage energy costs, including Levelized Billing and DependABill®. Information is available 24/7 through NIPSCO's website, online chat feature and mobile app.
Additional information about assistance programs, eligibility requirements and application deadlines is available at NIPSCO.com/Assistance.
Customers can also visit NIPSCO.com/Bill to learn more about how natural gas and electric bills are calculated, including the difference between energy costs and delivery charges and the role each plays in providing safe, reliable service.
