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"I work for a natural gas utility (a small one). This year is going to stink for us. We make the same amount per MCF regardless of price, and at prices this high people will use less or switch to some other heat source. That's the market for you."

Thank you for your input from the inside of the industry. Very valid points. In terms of people residing in in large high rises we are stuck unlike people in suburbia which could switch to maybe a wood burning system, coal or propane.

Do you feel coal, propane and even wood prices will elevate in price similar to when so many homeowners made the switch in the Northeast from home heating oil to natural gas and eventually the prices more or less evened out.

Another question. How soon after natural gas prices take a major upswing, do you guys raise your prices since your paying more at the wholesale level?

Do you know if there are any new models of natural burners which would heat as well, but consume less?

Maybe, just maybe this upcoming winter will not be a rough one.

Natural Gas Prices Set Record, Pointing to Costly Winter

Just what we need to hear ..............

"Long-range Weather Forecast Atlantic Corridor Annual Weather Summary November 2005 to October 2006 from the the Old Farmer's Almanac

"Winter-season temperatures will be one degree below normal, on average, with above-normal precipitation in most of the region."

"Snowfall will be much greater than normal just about everywhere. The biggest snowfalls will be in early December and the second half of January, with other snowy periods in late December and early February. Temperatures will be relatively mild in November, the first half of January, and February, but colder than normal in December and exceptionally cold in the second half of January."

"April and May will be cooler than normal, on average, although there will be warm temperatures in mid-April and early and late May. Rainfall will be above normal."

Just ducky! $20.000 Btu NG prices by February?

How soon after natural gas prices take a major upswing, do you guys raise your prices since your paying more at the wholesale level?

My gas company adjusts the prices to market prices at the close of the current contract. Ie, 1.50 close in October is reflected in the November billing. A 40% increase on top of that is their operating margin, regardless.

Another question. How soon after natural gas prices take a major upswing, do you guys raise your prices since your paying more at the wholesale level?

We submit a rate change to the state quarterly. A component of the rate is a catch-up to make up for price changes during the quarter. So price increases and decreases do get to the consumer at a slower rate than on the wholeslae market.

Do you know if there are any new models of natural burners which would heat as well, but consume less?

I don't know. I'm fairly new to the industry. ,