When Barbara Troxell started one in 2004, she started by putting flyers in neighbors mailboxes. After getting about 14 people together, she started calling up dealers to see if they would offer a group rate discount. The group negotiated a $40 discount off a $179 annual plan, got downside price protection, with a pre-season boiler check included. Now the group is up to 50 people.Through collective buying power you can negotiate a better deal to buy in "bulk" than you can individually. For more info and tips on the nuts and bolts, check out this article.

How to Save Money by Starting a Fuel Oil Coop [Furnace Compare] (Photo: Getty)

Universal officials in Toronto told Target 8 Investigators that over the life of the five-year plan they believe customers will actually save money. They say you shouldn't judge the plan six months into a five-year contract, even though prices are currently dropping.

Former salesman Al Brogg, who calls the way Universal sells gas "misleading, dishonest, unethical," also thinks that might still happen, and that it might work eventually in customers favor.

But he said, "Today it's not going to save people money. It's actually going to cost them almost 50 percent more."

Universal officials take no responsibility for any lies told by sales people. They say lying violates their code of conduct, however, "it's possible...a couple of sales people went off and did their own thing to increase sales."

It should go without saying, but if you can't compare apples to apples between two bills, don't change to a new supplier. Sadly, most gas bills are hard to read. Here's one attempt to clarify some of the numbers—you should look for a Gas Recovery Cost. You should also do a search for a similar "how to read my gas bill" page on your local gas supplier's website.

(Thanks to Jack!)

"Traveling gas sales people: we 'misled' customers" [WOODTV]
(Photo: tanakawho)

The Houston-based company, Minnesota's largest natural-gas utility, told the Star Tribune that it still considers credit reporting one of several appropriate ways to collect past-due payments. It also considers those collections crucial for keeping rates down for all customers.

But it has chosen not to begin such a program because "we feel it is important to focus our attention on exploring alternatives," the company said in a prepared statement.

(Thanks to Kris!)

"CenterPoint's credit-reporting plan is dropped" [Star Tribune]

RELATED
"Centerpoint suspends program to report deliquent customers" [MPR]

• gasoline prices - In a surprise to no one, they'll go higher.
• home heating costs - If you use heating oil, you could see a steep increase of over 25%. Homes using natural gas may see an increase of about 10%. Propane households will see a 20% increase, while homes that heat with electricity should expect a relatively small 2.7% bump.
• airfare - Airlines will want to raise prices because jet fuel is already an enormous expense for them—but unless the whole industry plays along, it's a risky thing to do. There's a good chance international fares will go up while domestic fares remain relatively competitive, especially if the economy remains soft.
• shipping - Ah, the hidden cost of online shopping! You can expect retailers to offer discounts or free shipping during the holiday season, but rates may go up after that passes. Higher transportation costs can also trickle down into things like groceries, so prices may go up there as well.

"What $100 Oil Means for Your Wallet" [SmartMoney]
(Photo: Getty)

In actual dollars, this translates to a hit of around $400 more for average families using heating oil or propane, and around $50 more for those using electricity or natural gas.

The National Energy Assistance Director's Association, which released the figures, have called on the Bush administration to "immediately release money from the government's Low Income Home Energy Program, commonly known as LIHEAP, to help poor families pay their heating bills as well as cover past-due high cooling bills from the summer."

We grew up in a poor household, and trust us, one cold winter can wipe out an already tight budget for half the year. As the article states, "During 2005, energy expenses accounted for 20 percent of the income of households that received LIHEAP assistance, compared to only 3 percent for higher income families." If you're the letter-writing type, you might want to contact your representatives and ask that they increase LIHEAP funding.

"Consumers face record winter heating costs" [Reuters]

RELATED
www.supportliheap.org
(Photo: The_Gut)

Shrink Wrap Your Windows For Winter [Curbly]

$800 charge. Read again.

Somewhere, heard someone make noises. Like an animal. Read it one more time. Noticed 'reading ESTIMATED.'

Strange.

Who would estimate therms like that? Several times what they were before?

Only one thing could. A stupid gas company. It had to be stopped.

Walked downstairs. Read meter. Meter said 288, not 516. Called Keyspan.

Corrected them.

They said they'd send a new bill right over, sir. Hung up phone. Watched sun set. Shivered. Boiler not working either. Coincidence. Maybe. Rage, she is a warm mistress at your side.

I can't put it more clear then that...

Seems Columbia Gas of Ohio's automatic payment system screwed Keith over and double-dipped after he switched apartments. His story and our suggestions for alternative gas options, and yes, there's a bean joke.

Keith continues:

I pay bills like everyone else. I take advantage of offers, I pay my bills on time, and I set up an automatic debit payment (I eye my online web bank account daily) and keep an eye on my balance. I do not own a credit card (made that mistake in college, paid it all off, and vowed to not get one until I've landed a job that I can pay off the full amount of the card in a month).

Then things get weird. I recently moved (same city, different zip code) and shut off services at the old place and established services at my new place - easy, right? Until I get my bill. I paid for my last month at the old place, paid for two months at my new place, and I notice an odd charge on my bill.

It showed my payment for the last month, and my charges for the current month. (roughly $50 is what I owed). Then it had an additional line of $221. No statement of what it was there for, why it is there, or anything. Today, I check my bank account, and I notice an automatic debit for $221 from my checking to Columbia Gas. I call, check my bill (You owe $0! You have a credit of $532!).

$532? They're taking money out of my account, and crediting me for it, but leaving me with less money in my checking for what reason now? According to Columbia Gas... they don't know why! I spend about 20 minutes on the phone (and their customer service was WAY better then most) and they resolved the system was taking twice the amount for payments at my old place - even though I was no longer having service there.

In the end? I'm getting $228 back. Of $500+. So now I'm filing a complaint with P.U.C.O. [ed. Public Utilities Commission of Ohio] and seeing what other 'options' I have, since I had to tell them to give me my money back and not let all this money sit there with them, and canceling the 'auto-payment' option.

I just wish I had another option for gas. (damned apartment living)

—
Peace!
-Keith

Alternate options for gas:

1) Beans.
2) Burn all your automatic debt payments in a pile in the center of the room.
3) Blankets. See #1.
4) Oldie but goody: To save on energy costs, install curtains. Keep them open during the date and closed at night (lets sun and warmth in and keeps it in).
5) 4) Bundle up in some sweaters, sissy.

Readers, how do you keep warm and heating costs down?

Which uses less electricity:
1. Keeping the AC on constantly.
2. Having the AC on during the day, then turning it off and opening the windows instead in the evening when it's cool, then turning the AC back on when we go to bed.
The reason I ask is that my roommates think it takes more electricity to turn the AC off and then turn it back on later.

This guy knows how to save money using electricity! We think we're going to turn up the gas heater real toasty and read this for a while. (Thanks, Spring!)

Saving Electricity [Michael Bluejay]