This winter, warm weather may leave Madison residents with a little extra change in their pockets.
We Energies, the primary energy company in Milwaukee, announced last week heating costs will likely be lower this year across the state.
Madison residents are expected to pay 15 percent less for heat compared to last year because of the decrease in price of natural gas in the marketplace and the speculation of a warmer winter, according to Steve Kraus, spokesperson for Madison Gas & Electric.
""Our prediction is that students will be paying less,"" Kraus said. ""If it's colder you're going to use more [heat], and if it's warmer than normal, you're going to use less.""
Though gas prices have recently fallen, past years saw a higher demand for natural gas as well as a shortened supply due to hurricane activity damaging centers of oil refinement, according to the Energy Information Administration.
""We know that natural gas prices are down,"" Kraus said. ""The question is, will they stay there at this level?""
Heating bills will remain low throughout the winter season assuming weather remains relatively normal, and there are no severe supply interruptions, such as hurricanes or pipeline breaks, Kraus said.
However, he stressed the forecast was a prediction.
""If I was [confident], I wouldn't have this job. I'd go out and buy a lottery ticket,"" adding, ""That is why I always say if you tell me what the weather is going to be, I'll tell you what it will cost you.""
This winter will also be tempered by El NiAo, an atmospheric condition that could result in higher temperatures, said UW-Madison professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences, Steven Ackerman.
""El NiAo is a change of tropical water temperature in the Pacific Ocean, which causes different air flow patterns in the U.S. and warmer condition in the Upper Midwest,"" Ackerman said, adding that it is a good indicator of what seasonal temperatures will be.
The average cost for heating during a six-month period is approximately $780, though usually less for a college student, said Beth Martin, spokesperson for We Energies. Martin predicts that all utility prices will decrease throughout the state.
