The Independent-News, Volume 105, Number 25, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 29 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 reads 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 rates are going up due principally to purchased gas costs These costs are added to your charges through the purchased gas adjustments only when they have been authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and approved by the Public Service Commission of Indiana. (NIPSCO does not realize one cent of profit from these purchased gas adjustments. Increased re venues resulting from them go directly to pipeline supply companies-on a dollar for dollar basis —to pay for the increased cost of natural gas.i

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.

I hese costs most likely will increase further due to additional increases in the cost of purchased gas as the winter goes on. Bill Baying Assistance If NIPSCO winter service bills become a problem tor you. we might be able to help.

the WVIr company Ijsp Northern Indiana Public Service Company This ad paid for by stockholders of Northern Indiana Public Service Company.

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.

e hk ■• ;• ' * * *wX-< ' * It 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 pavments. and make it a little easier to settle up your account. Also, several Federal, state and local agencies arc in a position to assume all or part of your utilitv pavments if you qualify for their assistance. Equal Bayment Plan One way to spread out your winter heating costs is to join NIPSCO's Equal Payment Plan. You can start in

any 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 ami the amount you arc billed will lx- reflected in the Mav serv ice bill. You will pay only for the energy used, bused 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 be due at the end of the budget year.

THE INDEPENDENT-NEWS - NOVEMBER 29, 1979

Meter Reading and Estimated Bills No one-particularly NIPSCO-likes estimated bills: but sometimes thev are necessary because of circum stances beyond our control. Meters al 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 actuallv 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. I he 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 W inter

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ways to do this, weatherproof sour home, maintain vour heating, svstem, lower vour thermostat and purchase energy -efficient appliances. Our Job Is To Serve You As vour energy company, we arc interested in pros idmg vou with the Ix-st possible service If vou have anv ques

tionsaboui vourenergv supplv. service charges, meter read mg, estimated bills, energy conservation oranv NIPSCO matter call or stop in al youi nearest NIPSCO customer serv ice olt ice . We II do our v erv Ix'st to help vou.

Free Energy Conservation Booklet W isc use of gas in die home can help hold down rising utilitv bills and conserve our nation s energv supplv NIPSCO has published a new IxxAlet. "99 Ways To Conserve Energy." and it s available free from vour local NIPSC() 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 sc NIPSCO Energy Wisely I

By far the largest portion of vour residential energv costs are from homeheat ing. I his is whv it's especially important to avoid wasting energy dur ing the heating season Basically, there arc four