Demand For Home Energy Audits Jumps - Louisville Courier Journal

[hatrack]

Two weeks ago, the home-energy auditors at Louisville Gas & Electric Co. were as lonely as the Maytag repairman. No customers were scheduled for the home checkups that look for ways to cut their heating and cooling bills.

After news of a steep increase in natural gas prices on the way for the winter, requests for the audits began flooding in. About 600 people are on a waiting list for the $15 inspections, and LG&E plans to hire more auditors to meet the need.

"Apparently people have been reading all the information in the press about what's going on with natural gas prices, and they've decided they're going to engage in a little bit of self-help," LG&E spokeswoman Laura Douglas said yesterday. LG&E said Thursday that typical customers who spread payments equally over 12 months would see monthly bills rise 64 percent, from $88 to $144 a month.

Rising demand, falling production and disruptions to natural gas production and distribution equipment from Hurricane Katrina combined to send natural gas prices spiraling. LG&E sells the gas at cost and makes its profit from a distribution fee that is not going up.

EDIT

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051001/BUSINESS/510010319

[Kolesar]

1. In Kentucky, no less ... not a cold state like NY or MI ... eom