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September has arrived and cooler temperatures will soon follow. But New Yorkers may not want to crank up the heat — utility companies such as National Grid are anticipating a rise in costs this home-heating season.
Joanne Coons owns an 1830s farmhouse in Clifton Park.
“The inside was in pretty bad disrepair,” Coons said. That was more than a decade ago when she and Paul Coons bought the nearly 200-year-old home.
“The main occupants were raccoons,” Paul Coons recalled.
The environmentally conscious pair didn’t just restore the home. They made every effort to make it as energy efficient as possible. Keeping the 19th Century appearance intact, the couple installed modern technology like solar panels and a ground source heat pump.
“You can see the meter on the wall," Joanne Coons said. "It’s spinning towards the road, which means we’re making more energy than we’re using.”
The Coons also applied spray foam insulation, and installed a metal cool roof and triple-layered windows.
“There is a magnetic storm, you can barely see it," Joanne Coons said. "There is an exterior storm and then there is an original.”
Prior to making the improvements, it cost the Coons thousands of dollars to heat and cool the farmhouse. Now, it costs less than $20 a month.
“It's a difference between the surplus we have in the summer and the deficit we have. That’s how it balances out in a year," Paul Coons said.
It’s a goal they are striving for as energy costs climb.
Melanie Littlejohn, National Grid vice president of customer and community engagement for upstate New York, said the company expects winter season heating costs for natural gas customers to be about 39% higher last year.
That’s about $263 more for the average customer between Nov. 1 and March 31.
The war in Ukraine, a supply chain crisis and inflation are responsible, according to National Grid officials.
They are also predicting customers will pay about 22% more for electricity.
“They would spend about $116 more this winter season,” Littlejohn said.
The utility company presented its annual cost forecast outside the Coons’ home Wednesday to highlight some of the ways customers can save and some of the resources that are available for people who may not be able to afford the increases, such as HEAP.
“Going without service can be dangerous," said Jennifer Cross, efficiency manager for National Grid. "And we have several payment plans and emergency financial options for those who qualify. But we can’t help if we don’t know you’re struggling.”
While the Coons will be spared the bleak forecast, they realize not everyone will. But they’re hoping by sharing their story, people can find ways to save this winter.
“Don’t do nothing. Do something,” Joanne Coons said.