12 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, February 2, 1994 Big bills (continued from page 1) The crisis program depends on the weather, Brady said. So far this winter, calls to the program have been “way over the norm.” Natural gas customers won't begin to feel the crunch until they receive their January bills in a week or two, according to June- ann Greco of Pennsylvania Gas and Water's public relations de- partment. “The average monthly gas bill to heat a 2,000 square-foot ranch home is about $149,” Greco said. “Customers can expect to see their monthly bills running around $179, at least. The more gas they use, the more they'll have to pay.” Natural gas customers may contact PG&W to make special arrangements to pay off their bills, Greco said. Suppliers of home heating oil and kerosene have also seen an increase in demand. “We're getting at least triple the normal number of calls,” said Michael Drogalis, a bookkeeper at Montour Oil. “There has been lots of panic buying — people wanting to top off their tanks because they think that we'll never get in to them when they run out.” Montour tries to service its customers within 24 hours of their call, or within 48 hours at the most, Drogalis said. Keeping an eye on the fuel tank gauge and calling for more fuel only when the tank has reached 1/4 can go a long way in helping fuel suppliers service their cus- tomers, he added. Clearing a path to the tank or filler pipe is helpful to fuel suppli- ers as is keeping the driveway clear and putting ashes or salt out, Drogalis said. He has already had to wade through waist-deep snow to make a delivery. “Don’t cry wolf. Let us take care of customers who are truly low on fuel,” Drogalis said. “We have more days. What degree day means A frequently heard term in heating and cooling is “degree days,” a sort of arbitrary figure used in weather record-keeping. According to forecaster Bob Hamilton at the National Weather Service in Avoca, a degree day is simply the number of degrees needed to bring a room to 65° on any given day. To calculate a degree day, first average the day's temperatures by adding the highest to lowest, then divide the result by two. Then subtract that number from 65. For example, suppose that today’s high was 40° and the low was 20°: 40 + 20 = 60 and 60 + 2 is 30, the average. To get the degree days, subtract 30 from 65-you have 35 degree Weather forecasters record these figures every day and add them up for monthly and seasonal totals. December's 1,077 degree days were below the norm of 1,085, whileJanuary’s 1,227 degree days as of January 27 ran way above the norm of 1,044, Hamilton said. by Grace R. Dove [13 ost of our callers have run out of fuel and don’t have the money to-buy more.” Gene Brady Commission on Economic Opportunity than 1,400 customers and only a limited number of trucks and drivers. We'll get there as soon as possible.” Prices have also risen with the increased demand. Bulk kerosene has gone up about 30¢ per gallon in the past month, according to Russ Newell, vice-president of Newell Fuel. “Our local suppliers are stock- ing more diesel fuel than kero- sene, because that's where the year-round demand and profits are. We now must send trucks out of the area to get kerosene — to Reading, Philadelphia and Car- lisle,” he said. “We'll take care of all our customers, but it may cost a little more.” Alternative heating methods have also suddenly become popu- lar. “If it will burn, people will buy it,” said Len DeLeur, a.k.a. Dr. Soot, of Back to Basics in Kunkle. “I've sold 18 tons of wood pellets in the past two weeks. We have had a tough time getting bulk coal because the supplies are frozen solid.” The run on wood pellet, coal, gas and combination stoves be- gan around Christmas and hasn't let up since. When the power shortage hit, people got more excited, he said. His cheapest stove starts at around $1,000, with a flue, liner and chimney costing another $1,000. Only the pellet stovesdon't need a chimney because they're vented through a wall. “After this winter people will probably want stoves as backup heating plants, or to take advan- tage of the cheapest fuels avail- able,” he said. { FREE ELECTRONIC HEARING TESTS WILL BE GIVEN AT Daniel C. Roberts Fire Hall, Harveys Lake WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1994 From 10 a.m. - until 3 p.m. The tests will be performed by Hearing Aid Specialists who are registered with the Department of Health, State of Pennsylvania. Anyone who has trouble understanding is welcome to have a test using modern equipment to determine if their loss is one which may be helped. Everyone should have a hearing test at least once a year, if there is any trouble at all hearing clearly. Even people now wearing an aid or those who have been told nothing could be done for them should have a hearing test and find out if they are one of the many a hearing aid can help. . FREE HOME SERVICE AVAILABLE TO SENIOR CITIZENS CALL 823-0089 BELL HEARING AID SERVICE N bv, Record-breaking temperatures caused emergency operating conditions. As a conservation measure, we asked our customers to cut back on usage... and your response was nothing short of incredible! Many of our industrial customers operated only at plant protection levels during the emergency. Residential customers also unselfishly conserved energy. Commercial customers closed down. And those who called us for assistance waited patiently for our service staff to answer the call, With your help, we were able to avoid taking additional measures. It was a challenging time, but we made it through by pulling together. Thank You again for your cooperation and patience. gr emeneerveadl AACR TESA ya RTI OAS ESTA BSR AERT IT gl] ATES Ema] nn ———— fremsh— ei A — S————— G——————— Gt——— S—— BN It was the worst I” weather we've seen, but it brought out the best in you. All of us at UGI want to thank you for your cooperation and patience during the recent severe weather emergency. ELECTRIC SERVICE frantically fo and fro searching for the perfect Dealentine's Gift? Qlisit these fine shops fo save fime and money. 23 Ba Pind give the er Sweetie deserves! "GIFT BASKETS" Starting at $24.99 ¥ "Sweets for Your Sweet" Baskets ¥ Hors d'ouvres Baskets (You bring the Wine) ¥ Homemade Gourmet Baskets ¥ Gourmet Coffee Baskets ¥ Muffin Baskets Take Home Gourmet Dinner Special FOODS 550 Memorial Hwy, Dallas 675-0790 A Valentine s Gift Like No Other! All Inclusive Free Delivery! Gift Basket for that special Order at any of 3 someone! 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers