Propane prices lower this winter

For those who heat their home with propane, the current cold snap finds the per gallon price much lower then it was last winter. Prices over the winter of 2013-2014 were well over $2 a gallon and some home owners experienced supply problems.

This year, prices from area suppliers hover in the area of $1.50 to $1.80 and the business is brisk during the cold snap. Regional suppliers report they are busy with calls from customers to have their tanks filled up.

"Busy, very busy," stated Gina Fulkerson of Tate's Blue Flame of Galatia.

Fulkerson said that Tate's is currently charging $1.69 a gallon for propane and there has not been much price fluctuation recently.

"In the last few months the highest we went was $1.79 and now we are back down to $1.69 a gallon," Fulkerson said.

Tate's usually pre-buys their propane a year in advance in an effort to insure low prices for their customers, Fulkerson explained. Sometimes this doesn't work out for the company. Fulkerson said that current "off the rack" prices were actually lower than the propane the company had pre-contracted for this winter. Fulkerson added that Tate's got a very good offer for prices on a 2016 contract and have purchased their supply for 2016 already.

Some tips on energy conservation during the winter usually consist of common sense methods.

Closing off rooms and heat vents in areas of the home not used frequently is a very good start.

Using plastic sheets or window sealing kits to prevent excessive heat loss through windows. Using foam door strips and a draft guard for the gap at the bottom of doors also helps cut down on heat loss.

Checking to make sure the heating ducts are in good repair is also a good idea. Often, heating problems in a home can be the result of leaking or broken ductwork. Ducts can also be insulated to help energy economy.

A few extra layers of blankets on the bed is always a good way to be able to set the thermostat a little lower at night.