CINCINNATI — Even with summer heat still lingering across the Tri-State, experts are urging homeowners to prepare for higher winter heating bills.
The Energy Assistance Association estimates families heating with natural gas could see an 8% increase this winter, while those using electricity may face a 10% jump. Rising energy prices continue to outpace inflation, and federal aid hasn’t kept up, leaving fewer options for households already struggling.
Matt Martin, a Duke Energy spokesperson, acknowledged the financial strain.
“We know that our customers are being impacted by a number of rising prices right now, whether it’s at the grocery store, obviously with energy costs. So we know that is something that our customers are dealing with both in Ohio and Kentucky,” Martin said.
Ways to Lower Heating Costs
Rob Evans of Apollo Home says routine maintenance improves efficiency and lowers expenses.
“Pull it (your filter) out, do a visual inspection. A good thing to do is hold it up to the light to see if light’s coming through. If light’s coming through that tells me it is probably clean,” Evans explained.
Other cost-saving steps include:
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Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting
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Seal windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping
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Keep your water heater at 120 degrees
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Replace furnace filters regularly
“Water heating in a home is a big driver of energy usage, so that’s just one small thing that can really help to manage that as well,” Martin added.
Assistance Programs
Duke Energy provides support for income-qualified customers through the Share the Light Fund, which offers one-time help to prevent disconnection. The fund is supported by Duke Energy shareholders.
“So we offer a number of income-qualified programs that customers can potentially apply for and look into as well, including our Share the Light Fund, which is funded by Duke Energy shareholders,” Martin said.
Additional options include:
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Flexible payment plans
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Installment arrangements
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Due date extensions
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Usage alerts to track and adjust consumption
“If they have an online account, they can actually go in and manage their energy usage and see what they’re using, and they can make adjustments along the way,” Martin noted.
Experts also recommend shopping early for supplies like space heaters, insulation tape, and window weatherization kits, which are typically cheaper before demand increases later in the season.
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