After enjoying two consecutive winters of record-setting mild temperatures, it looks like Western New York is about to get hit with a reality check.
National Fuel is predicting the average customer will pay almost 27 percent more to heat their homes this season compared to last year.
The typical National Fuel customer paid $464 from November 2016 through March of this year. This winter, residential customers can expect to pay about $588.
The company says the past two winters saw the lowest natural gas bills in nearly 20 years because of the mild weather and low natural gas prices.
For people facing financial difficulties, the federally funded Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, provides financial assistance on a first come, first serve basis. To see if you qualify for help, call 1-877-443-2743 or visit www.HEAPhelps.com.
