Here at UGI EnergyLink, we’d like to wish the residents of the Keystone State a very Happy New Year! Now that the partying and celebrating is over (for most of us), it’s time to consider an important reality: January is Pennsylvania’s coldest month for several major cities. Historically, January is the coldest month of the year for Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Reading, PA.
According to weather.com, the average temperature in Harrisburg is 23 degrees for the month of January, cooler than the average temperature of 27 degrees in December. On a typical January day in Lancaster, the temperature is around 22 degrees, cooler than the average temperature of 26 degrees in December. The average temperature for the month in Reading is also 22 degrees, compared to about 27 degrees in December.
If you thought December was cold, you should expect the weather to be even colder in January—at least by a few degrees. This calls for some preparation on your part.
Transition to a Natural Gas Service
If your home currently uses oil or propane as a heating source, you’d be wise to transition to a natural gas service. Home natural gas heating produces heat that is between 25 and 35 degrees warmer than heat produced by either oil or propane. Natural gas furnaces thrive in performance as well. When it comes to evenly distributing heat throughout an entire space, natural gas furnaces do a much better job than other heating sources.
Now, why would you want to pay more for a heating source that provides less warmth and less comfort? The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that U.S. households that use oil to warm their homes should expect pay about $2,500 in heating bills this season, which is a 19 percent increase from just last year. Households in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Reading, PA that use natural gas heating, on the other hand, can expect to pay about $1,000 this heating season, which is $1,500 less than homes that use heating oil.
Propane is actually processed from natural gas, and this processing leads to a higher price compared to natural gas. Additionally, propane prices often surge unexpectedly because of the logistical difficulty of obtaining resupply during the peak heating season (now), according to the EIA.
As icing on the cake, you don’t ever have to worry about running out of natural gas—it’s delivered via safe, reliable underground pipelines.
Make UGI EnergyLink Your Natural Gas Company
Consider a natural gas company’s reputation before signing up for its services. UGI EnergyLink has supplied and delivered natural gas locally and globally for over 126 years. Over 30,000 residential and commercial customers in over nine states trust us as their natural gas company of choice.
As a result of natural gas deregulation in Pennsylvania, we’re able to offer consumers a pricing choice between fixed and variable rates and some other options as well. If you live on a tight monthly budget, fixed rates deliver peace of mind—and safeguard you from unexpected price increases. If you prefer more flexibility, the variable rate option may be perfect for you.
If you already have natural gas lines installed in your home, transitioning to our service is a snap—just fill out a simple enrollment form. All you have to do is provide some basic information and you’ve got us (and our convenient pricing options) on your side.