Liquid propane prices on the rise
WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) -- Prices have risen for just about everything, and that includes heating your home.
Joan Landweihr, an area resident, said that she's paying almost double now compared to what she paid this summer for liquid propane.
"I can understand a couple of cents, but not this much." said Landweihr.
Since she built her home in rural Marathon County in the 1980's, Landweihr was with the same LP gas supplier.
But when they gave her their most recent quote, it was nearly fifty cents higher than other companies.
"Something's gotta be done with this, it's the same stuff, and I'm sure the suppliers are all the same, and it just didn't make any sense that big of a difference." she said.
She's not alone with seeing these higher prices for LP gas, since 2020, prices have nearly doubled.
But unlike other rising costs, some experts said it's not linked directly to the pandemic.
Propane is a byproduct of crude oil, and in recent years, the U.S. has started importing more of its crude.
"We're much more dependent on foreign oil right now, foreign crude oil," said Bill Hoeltke, of Country Visions, "we were energy independent and we were actually shipping out excess crude."
Now, the higher costs of crude are hitting those who heat their homes with it's by-products.
As for Landweihr, she said she's concerned about what the increase in prices will do to those who rely on LP for heat.
"I do use my LP just like everybody else, and I'm concerned about the elderly freezing." she said.
County Visions says the best way to make sure you aren't paying an arm and a leg for your propane is to sign a supply contract during the summer.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program provides help to those who are having a hard time paying their heat and electric bills. Those requirements have been adjusted for the pandemic.
https://www.waow.com/news/top-stories/liquid-...f356e.html
WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) -- Prices have risen for just about everything, and that includes heating your home.
Joan Landweihr, an area resident, said that she's paying almost double now compared to what she paid this summer for liquid propane.
"I can understand a couple of cents, but not this much." said Landweihr.
Since she built her home in rural Marathon County in the 1980's, Landweihr was with the same LP gas supplier.
But when they gave her their most recent quote, it was nearly fifty cents higher than other companies.
"Something's gotta be done with this, it's the same stuff, and I'm sure the suppliers are all the same, and it just didn't make any sense that big of a difference." she said.
She's not alone with seeing these higher prices for LP gas, since 2020, prices have nearly doubled.
But unlike other rising costs, some experts said it's not linked directly to the pandemic.
Propane is a byproduct of crude oil, and in recent years, the U.S. has started importing more of its crude.
"We're much more dependent on foreign oil right now, foreign crude oil," said Bill Hoeltke, of Country Visions, "we were energy independent and we were actually shipping out excess crude."
Now, the higher costs of crude are hitting those who heat their homes with it's by-products.
As for Landweihr, she said she's concerned about what the increase in prices will do to those who rely on LP for heat.
"I do use my LP just like everybody else, and I'm concerned about the elderly freezing." she said.
County Visions says the best way to make sure you aren't paying an arm and a leg for your propane is to sign a supply contract during the summer.
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program provides help to those who are having a hard time paying their heat and electric bills. Those requirements have been adjusted for the pandemic.
https://www.waow.com/news/top-stories/liquid-...f356e.html
