With a mild winter so far, local residents can expect to save money on heating costs.
Citing current usage and price rates, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. spokeswoman Linda Foy told The Examiner that a homeowner who paid $200 during this same billing period last year can expect a much lower payment of around $110 this season. Currently, home heating is set at around $.86 per therm, the unit of measure on a gas bill, a substantial difference of $1.26 per therm in 2005.
As for homes that are heated electrically, BGE declined to comment on the current average usage of a Baltimore home. However, Foy did point out that customers should remember the summer?s 15 percent rate increase when comparing bills from last season to this year?s mild winter.
“When the weather is warmer, two things happen,” said Foy. “Customers don?t use as much natural gas or electricity to heat their homes, and that drives demand down. [With] demand down, the consumers benefit from lower rates and lower bills.”
In addition, the warmer weather has driven regional gas rates are below the national average.
According to AAA, Baltimore drivers are paying an average of $2.292 per gallon on regular unleaded gas. That price is .013 cents cheaper than the national average of 2.305, and .025 cents cheaper than one year ago. The price of regular unleaded gas in the city is up one cent from December?s rate.
“There certainly will be a decrease in demand since summer travel and the holidays are over, so there will be some decrease in consumption,” said Ragina Averella, director of public relations and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “So, absent any turmoil in the Middle East or other oil-producing region, the prices should hopefully become stable.”
