Welcome to the December 2008 issue of The Source,
your link to energy news, natural gas industry
information,
and more.
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New Winter Heating Forecast
The Energy Information Administration updated the Short-Term Energy Outlook on December 9, 2008, and the outlook is good for residents heating their homes with natural gas. Prices for this heating season are projected to be 1.3% lower than they were last winter. That's a tremendous decrease from earlier forecasts that had everyone shaking in their...uh...sandals.
A drop in heating prices like this one doesn't happen often, especially just before winter. So if you haven't yet locked in your natural gas rate for the next 12 months, you may want to consider taking advantage of this rare opportunity and lock in now.
As always, Vectren Source monitors the natural gas market so you don't have to. That's one of the reasons customers choose Vectren Source in the first place. You don't need a degree in economics or meteorology to keep up with today's volatile energy markets. Just stay tuned to The Source!
Source: EIA
Natural Gas Rate Changes For Some
Ohio Customers
Customers of Dominion East Ohio or Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio who have not chosen an alternative supplier may have noticed a difference in the way their natural gas rate is calculated. In an attempt to move to a more market-based rate structure, these two utilities are now purchasing gas through third-party suppliers. What used to be known as the Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) rate is now called the Standard Sales (or Service) Offer (SSO) rate. This move is expected to result in more options for natural gas customers and more competitive rates.
For more information, check out these links:
Dominion East Ohio Customers:
http://www.dom.com/about/companies/eohio/choice_news.jsp
Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio Customers:
http://www.vectren.com/web/eenablement/learn_about/choice/choice_i.jsp
For Vectren Source Customers, a $100 Gift Card costs...$90?
If you are currently an active Vectren Source customer, you may already know about the Rewards+ "Dollars" that you automatically receive each month. These "Dollars" can be used to save up to 65 percent on over 75,000 travel, entertainment and merchandise offers, and yes, even gift cards!
For more information on the Rewards+ program, click here. Or, if you are currently a Vectren Source customer, you can start shopping now.
Need Extra Spending Money? Refer A Friend
Times are tough right now, so who couldn't use a little extra spending money. Did you know that active Vectren Source natural gas customers can earn extra cash by referring their friends and family members? With our Friends Plus Customer Referral Program, each friend or family member who becomes an active natural gas customer with Vectren Source is worth a $25 check to the referrer.
Call 1-866-397-5746 for more information!
Holiday Energy Saving Tips
Your monthly energy bills go up an average of $120 during the holiday season.* You're home more, the heat is on longer, you're doing a lot of cooking and baking and, if you're like millions of Americans, your house is aglow with holiday lights and festivities. Here are some tips to lower your overall bills this holiday season:
- Keep your thermostat set at 70 degrees at all times when you're home and lower it if you're going to be away for the day or for an extended holiday visit.
- Switch to LED holiday lighting. They might cost more, but they're brighter, they last longer, and they use about 75 percent less energy than the larger traditional bulbs.*
- Even if you just put your seasonal lights on a timer you'll save 75 percent.*
- As for cooking, because they cook so long, turkeys and hams don't need a pre-heated oven. Also, reduce the temptation to open the oven to check on things – it reduces the temperature by 25 degrees and then needs more energy to heat back up.***
- Turn off the oven before food is done and let the residual heat finish the cooking job!
- Glass or ceramic pans allow you to turn down the heat by an average of 25 degrees per entree.****
- Cook more than one entree at a time.
- Use the microwave where possible. It uses 50 percent less energy than your conventional oven.***
- On the stovetop, match the size of the pan to the size of the cooking area. A six-inch pan on an eight-inch burner uses 40 percent more energy!***
- Keep your refrigerators and freezers full to maximize cooling.
- If you're taking lots of items out of the refrigerator, leave the door open and take everything out at once – this uses less energy than repeatedly opening and closing the doors.
- Finally, for a gift that keeps on giving, give your friends cases of compact fluorescent light bulbs for them to use – and save with – all year long!
Sources:
What's Christmas Without Sugar Cookies
Just in time for Christmas, here's this issue's recipe from The Blue Flame Bistro – The Vectren Source online culinary community where you're always "cookin' with gas."
Classic Sugar Cookies!
Ingredients:
3 c sugar
2 c corn oil
4 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
6 teaspoons baking powder
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons soda
6 1/2 cups flour
Directions:
Mix sugar, oil and eggs. Add remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth. Drop on baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 9 to 11 minutes.