With colder weather right around the corner, Enbridge Gas customers in Sarnia-Lambton can expect to pay a little more to heat their homes.
On October 1, rates for residential customers increased by about $70 a year, or about 8 per cent of the total annual bill. That works out to $5.80 more a month for the average residential customer.
Manager of Media Relations Andrea Stass said there are several factors behind the higher rates, including the market price for natural gas.
"We are seeing upward pressure on those prices related to an increase in both North American consumption but there's also an increase in liquified natural gas exports that are destined for European and Asian markets," said Stass. "Demand for gas in those markets is increasing, and it is temporarily at least outstripping the supply and that's putting upward pressure on the cost."
Enbridge Gas adjusts the rates it charges its customers every three months.
"Come January we'll be looking again at natural gas prices, and adjusting them to reflect what's happening in the market," she said. "It's hard to predict what that will be, it really depends on the supply and the demand of the gas."
Stass said Enbridge understands that any increase can be of concern for customers, and the utility has energy saving tips and incentives available for its customers online at enbridgegas.com.
