Brace Yourself for Future Utility Bills

[Arminius]

Predicted 52% increase in natural gas prices this year.

Natural Gas Prices Set to Jump 52%, EIA Says

Predicted 9.8% increase in electric bills this year.

Electricity prices may spike more than expected - Jul. 8, 2008

[jamesqf]

Not too worried: most of my heat is solar or woodstove, and I have a 2-3 year supply from a couple of old cottonwoods I had to take out last summer. Electric bill hasn't been over $50/month in a year (since I got the new refrigerator), so a 10% increase won't break the budget.

In a way I almost wish the power bill was higher. Techie that I am, I'd like to put in solar PV, but at $50/month it's just not economic. But someday I'll have a PHEV Aptera, and that'll give me an excuse :-)

[ebacherville]

yep heard about natural gas al;so and electricity ive been wathing the marke there climbing too.. most of its inflation but same diffrence.. its going to be a tight winter for any many people..

I got wood.. but need to stock pile a few more cords before the snow flys..

[aerohead]

Electric bill soared to $52 last month with steady A/C.I haven't "heated the place since Enron began it's price manipulations.Passive solar has got me through so well I doubt I'll ever "turn on" heat.I'll pay for the luxury of grid power to feed the power tools.The projects they create moves me further and further towards non-reliance.I did ten years off the grid.

[jthistle]

That article is based on natural gas prices going from $7.17 per 1000 cubic feet to over $11. Currently ng goes for around $9 so right now the increase is ~28% over 2007. For up to date commodities pricing look at NYMEX.com