BOSTON (WHDH) - The arrival of colder temperatures means it’s time for Bay State residents to crank up the heat and with increased winter energy rates, National Grid is hoping to help customers manage their energy costs.
The utility company is hosting a Winter Customer Savings Event in Haverhill on Tuesday, one of a series of events aimed at helping connect Massachusetts customers with resources to managed the expected increase in winter energy rates.
Some residents are turning to wood-burning stoves as a way to save on energy bills.
Sean Rossier, owner of Rhode Island Furniture Store, says customers have been lining up for stoves.
“We stocked up, we bought a lot of extra inventory last year to be ready for this situation,” he said.
On Nov. 1, National Grid customers started spending 64 percent more a month for electricity, meaning if you spent $179 a month last winter, you’ll now be spending $293 and gas customers can expect an up to 24 percent hike in prices.
“This season seems to be on track to be about our busiest season yet,” John Polillio, owner of Tri-Town Landscape Material, said. “We’ve been doing this 20 years now. When we came in this morning there was about 46 messages on the machine,”
The price hikes are leaving many trying to make ends meet.
“It’s bad. It’s terribly bad,” one worried customer said. “Bad bad bad, terrible. I don’t know if I am prepared enough for it but I’m working, me and my wife are working.”
Business owners like Polillio are just trying to keep up with demand.
“It just seems with the costs of pretty much everything, especially oil and natural gas, a lot of people are receiving their bills now, are calling us and not only buying wood but doubling up the orders compared to previous years. So we’ve been quite busy this season.”
The owner said they normally have stock through march, but because of the increased orders, they estimate they’ll run out by January.
National Grid will also be hosting events next month in Fall River and Lowell. The event in Haverhill today will run from 4 to 7 p.m.
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