Some Local Gas Bills Double From Last Year

CREATED Jan. 31, 2013

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  • Some residents tell us their gas bills have more than doubled from this time last year. SoCalGas told us this winter we have experienced record-setting cold temperatures, heating up those bills. Video by kmir6.com

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It has warmed up now, but it had been an abnormally cold winter season here in the desert.
Some residents tell us their gas bills have more than doubled from this time last year.
SoCalGas told us this winter we have experienced record-setting cold temperatures, heating up those bills.
As the temperature dips, the gas bills rise.
But La Quinta resident, Babs Alper, says the cost nearly doubled from this same time last year.
"We were surprised that the bill had doubled, even though it wasn't humongous it was still a matter of it doubling, which didn't make any sense to us."
Their bill went from 66 to 114 dollars.
And the Alpers neighbor's noticed an even larger jump in price.
"Our fellow homeowners here, their bills went from 100 dollars a month to 300 dollars a month," said Alper.
Even part-time residents saw a price hike.
"Just comes down occasionally, just got their gas usage and 100 dollars for practically no usage at all," said Alper.
So we called SoCalGas to ask them about the costly heating.
"What we find is that customers tend to use up to three times more natural gas in winter than summer to heat their homes, and natural gas prices remain low, so supplies remain plentiful, there has not been a rate increase," said Southern California Gas Company media relations manager, Javier Mendoza.
We also asked SoCalGas about the line on the Alper's bill that says "modified gas charge due to rate change."
"We actually had a slight decrease on what we call a transportation rate, so there's actually been a slight decrease from last year," said Mendoza.
And SoCalGas said when the bill goes over the baseline that can cost more.
"The baseline is just the cost SoCalGas pays to buy the gas on the market, it's a commodity," said Mendoza.
 The Alpers were surprised by their bill, because it is normally so low.
"We've been really surprised at how little our gas bill has been, but obviously that may be changing and so again we're interested in knowing what that's about," said Alper.
So customers can expect to see the bills dip again, as the temperatures rise.
SoCalGas had some tips to lower your bill.
If your health permits, set the thermostat in the evening to 62 degrees, make sure your home is well insulated, and add insulation to water heaters.
Home heating and water heating make up to 75 percent of the cost of utility bills.