NIPSCO warns customers to expect higher heating bills this winter

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As temperatures drop across Michiana, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) is warning customers to prepare for higher natural gas costs this winter.

According to NIPSCO, residential heating bills are projected to rise about 16 percent compared to last winter — roughly an extra $18 per month for the average household.

NIPSCO says the increase stems from a combination of market trends, storage costs, and weather forecasts. The higher bills will primarily affect the winter heating season from November through March.

“There are two components of natural gas bills — the cost of delivering natural gas to customers and the cost of the natural gas itself,” Jennifer Cantarelli, communications manager at NIPSCO, said. “Managing costs to ensure the delivery of natural gas to homes and businesses without compromising safety, reliability, or integrity is vital.”

The company says it purchases gas from multiple suppliers throughout the year and stores it during the summer months to help stabilize prices when demand spikes in the winter. Still, officials say some increases are unavoidable, since natural gas prices are determined by the market and regulated by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

To help ease the impact, NIPSCO is encouraging residents to look into assistance programs now available for the winter months.

“It’s important for customers to be prepared for the winter heating season,” said Cantarelli. “We recently announced that additional energy assistance programs are now open for enrollment, which are there to help our most vulnerable community members stay safe and warm this winter.”

NIPSCO reminds customers that usage makes up most of the average heating bill, and energy-saving habits can still help keep costs manageable.