The Independent-News, Volume 105, Number 24, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 22 November 1979 — Page 7
With Winter Coming On It's Time To Talk About ENERGY SUPPLY, HEATING COSTS, METER READING, ESTIMATED BILLS AND CONSERVATION
Il won't be too long until winter rolls around again. Hopefully it won’t be another record breaker. However. we’ve been getting ready for it. doing our best to make sure you have enough energy to get through the upcoming cold weather. Energy Supply Here at NIPSCO we’ve been preparing for your winter needs by stocking up on ga.\ reserves and improving
Lower Temperatures, Higher Bills As you know; when the thermometer readings drop, heating bills rise, regardless of the fuel used. Energy costs will be higher this winter. Gas rales are going up due principalis to purchased gas costs. I hese costs are added to sour charges through the purchased gas adjustments only when they have been authorized by the Federal Energy Regulators Commission and approsed by the Public Service Commission of Indiana. (NIPSCO doc* not realize one cent of profit from these purchased gas adjustments. Increased revenues resulting from them go directly to pipeline supply companies on a dollar for dollar basis to pay for the increased cost of natural gas J
However, if you have natural gas heating in your home, you have the least expensive fuel available for this purpose in northern Indiana the cleanest and most efficient, too.
1 hese costs most likely will increase further-due to additional increases in the cost of purchased gas as the winter goes on. Bill laying Assistance If NIPSCO winter service bills become a problem for you. we might be able to help
»»
gas supply. So. barring any unforeseen curtailment by our suppliers, mechanical problems or diversion of supply by the Federal government, we will be able to meet your natural gas energy needs this winter, even if it matches the winter of 1977-1978. the coldest on record.
the qa/ company Nortihern Indiana Public Service Company This ad paid for by stockholders of Northern Indiana Public Service Company
• \ 6 A •' * * •' Th* ‘o* o .» • ° । / Il s most important however, to call or stop in at your local NIPSCO customer service office before the bill is due. It's possible we can find away to spread out your payments, and make it a little easier to settle up your account. Also, several I ederal. slate and local agencies are in a position to assume .ill or part of sour utility payments if you qualify for their assistance. Equal Payment Plan One way to spread out your winter healing costs is to join NIPSCO’s Equal Payment Plan. You can start in
anv month and the budget payment period ends with the May service bill. Your ' estimated usage based on past consumption — is divided into equal monthly payments. You receive a bill for the same amount each month.
Any difference between the actual amount used and the amount you are billed will be reflected in the May service bill. You will pay only for the energy used, based on actual meter readings. interest is not paid on any credit balance that might accumulate during the early part of the budget year, nor is any interest charged for any debit balance that may Ik- due at the end of the budget year.
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS - NOVEMBER 22. 1979
Meter Reading and Estimated Bills No one-particularly NIPSCO-likes estimated bills; but sometimes they are necessary because of circumstances beyond our control. Meters at times are not read because of inclement weather, meter inside and customer not home, pets not confined, meters covered with snow and ice. gates locked, etc. If we cannot read your meter, we send an estimated bill. An estimated bill is actually computed from your past energy usage and it also includes changes in energy consumption based on weather conditions. It is not a figure picked out of the air. And you will pay only for the energy you use —no more, no less. The difference between a bill based on estimated usage and your actual usage will be adjusted on your next bill, once an actual meter reading has been obtained. ' Four Ways To Save Energy This Winter
n
ways io do (his weatherproof your home, maintain sour healing system, lower your thermostat and purchase energy -e f f icie nt a ppi i a nces
Our Job Is To Serve You As your energy company, we are interested in providing you with the best possible service If you have anv ques
tionsabout yourenergy supply service charges, meter read ing. estimated bills, energy conservation orany NIPSCO matter call or stop in at your nearest NIPSCO customer serv ice <>f I ice. We ll doour v erv best to help you.
Free Energy Conservation Booklet Wise use of gas in the home can help hold down rising utility bills and conserve our nation’s energy supply NIPSCO has published a new booklet. "99 Ways Io Conserve Energy.” and Unavailable free from your local NIPSCO customer service office. Pick up a copy of this informative booklet which contains many important energy savings suggestions. I his winter — and all year round — I se NIPSCO Energy Wisely !
By far the largest portion of your residential energy costs are from homeheating. I his is why it’s especially important to avoid wasting energy during the heating season Basically, there are four