Plan to pay more to stay toasty this winter

Turning up the thermostat will cost a bit more this winter.

Federal officials predict Midwest homeowners will pay 10 percent more to heat their homes with natural gas.

Colder weather and higher gas costs are expected to push heating costs from October to March to a total of $1,045, up from $938 last heating season.

Much depends, however, on how long the mild weather holds out.

“How quickly cold temperatures come in will determine what prices will be,” said Neil Durbin, a spokesman for Dominion East Ohio.

A blast of cold weather early in the season can cause prices to shoot up quickly because gas supplies will be reduced, he said.

For more, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com