Winter is just around the corner, and students who reside off campus should be expecting their heating bills to cause dents in their wallets.

The price of natural gas is projected to rise in the 2008-09 winter season.

DTE Energy, which is the parent company to MichCon, one of the largest gas suppliers in Michigan, bases its prices on the amount of money it pays for natural gas.

“Natural gas could be purchased during the summer cheap, and then we’d use it in the winter when people need it,” said Scott Simons, spokesman for DTE Energy. “Natural gas prices aren’t low anymore, so as a result prices stay high.”

The only factor that seems to be driving prices sky-high is the increase of natural gas prices.

With the way the economy has been headed, there’s no surprise that prices have skyrocketed, Simons said.

“It’s hard to say because it’s a commodity of supply and demand laws,” he said. “We’re hoping prices go down.”

According to Michigan Public Service Commission, the projected price for Michigan’s average monthly residential heating bill from November to March this year will be $193.

That’s a $39 increase from the 2007-08 cost. A typical customer of DTE Energy would pay $175 per month last winter, Simons said.

“This year, it’s bumping up to $210 per month,” he said.

Central Michigan University students can expect lower bills than a typical customer because they live in smaller apartments and homes.

Plymouth sophomore Tanya Moutzalias has yet to experience these outrageous costs.

“It sucks because it’s cheaper now, and in the winter the cost will go up, and with the economy and the job market it’s going to be difficult to pay for all the students who live in apartments,” she said.

Gregory junior Sam Zuccala has fears of the increase as well.

“We were really careful with our electricity and it was still $103.66 for September,” he said. “And that’s without even using more than three days of A/C.”

Zuccala resides in Deerfield Apartments, 3400 Deerfield Road, with three other roommates.

Students who live in Campus Habitat Apartments do not have to worry about heating costs.

“The residents don’t pay for heat; the company does,” said April King, regional manager of Campus Habitat.

Simons said DTE Energy cannot control the price of heat.

“There’s not a whole lot we can do about it,” Simons said. “Bills can be lower or higher depending on the weather. Our objective is to keep everyone warm this winter and we’re more than willing to work with our customers to keep their heat on.” Customers in need of financial assistance with paying their heating bills through DTE Energy can call (800) 477-4747.

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E-mail the author: Amelia Eramya