Key points at a glance

  • Typical heating bills are expected to be $10 to $12 higher per month than last winter.
  • The increase is driven by higher natural gas costs and colder predicted weather.
  • More than $180 million in energy assistance is available in Illinois.
  • Customers are encouraged to reach out to North Shore Gas with questions or concerns.

Waukegan — As cold weather has settled for another winter, North Shore Gas is letting customers know heating bills for the coming season are expected to be $10 to $12 per month higher for the typical residential customer, as compared to last winter. The estimated increase is driven by two main factors: weather forecasts predicting colder temperatures this winter than last winter, and higher nationwide costs for natural gas.

The weather across this winter is predicted to be the coldest the northern suburbs have seen in five years. That means more energy will be needed to keep homes warm. At the same time, the cost of energy itself has risen.

North Shore Gas does not profit from the natural gas it purchases — customers pay the same price for natural gas that the company pays.

What North Shore Gas is doing for customers

We are working to keep bills as low as possible. North Shore Gas uses a proactive, multipronged approach to make sure customers have the energy they need at the lowest cost possible. The company buys and stores gas when it is typically lower priced, locks in guaranteed natural gas contracts at fixed prices, and purchases gas in the market.

Tools for managing energy costs

Bill payment assistance is available in several ways.

  • Illinois is receiving $180 million dollars in federal funds to help people with their energy bills, including heating assistance available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). North Shore Gas customers can call the Community Action Partnership of Lake County at 847-249-4330 or go to org to see if they are eligible and apply.
  • Heating grants from the Share the Warmth program also are available through the Community Action Partnership of Lake County. Customers can call 847-249-4330 to see if they are eligible and apply.
  • Illinois natural gas delivery utilities provide discounted bills to customers who have lower incomes. See details about the low-income discount program for North Shore Gas customers.
  • North Shore Gas also offers payment plans and budget billing to help customers manage energy costs.

Tips to save energy and more

Customers can take steps to manage their energy use by turning down their thermostats, using programmable thermostats, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and scheduling annual furnace tuneups. North Shore Gas also offers free energy-saving products, rebates, and energy efficiency consultations. For more low- and no-cost energy-saving tips, go to: https://www.northshoregasdelivery.com/savings/