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f i rf economist sunsimtribune consumer news saturday nov 26 2005 staff illustrationmike barrett et burned by heating costs by linda johnson staff writer if you brace yourself when you see temperatures drop and cold winds come it could be because you have been persuaded to go winter camping more likely you are a homeowner shivering not just at the thought of another long cold winter but also rising energy costs but it seems competition among energy providers may be heating up however all are hesitant to use the cword indeed when a gas marketer offers free longdistance calling with a fiveyear natural gas contract you pretty much know market rivalry is fueling change theres definitely more awareness among media and customers said aishling cullen director of media rela tions at direct energy the company that offers the free phone time with gas prices rising this past summer theres more interest around gas prices and looking for alternatives to being with your utility the five years free long distance is a great offer we have a variety of offers that appeal to different people this is one example though ms gulleri noted the company estimates their customers on average have saved about 850 over five years the company cannot promise lower rates over enbridge the natural gas distributor in york region instead the advantage they offer is a fixed rate the comparison most people in the industry make here is to a mortgage some people are comfortable with a variable mort gage rate which will fluctuate with the market from month to month other homeowners want stability we cant guarantee savings but we can guarantee youll know what your prices will be month after month year after year for five years it really depends on whats right for you for your family and your lifestyle ms cullen said but another marketer aurorabased riteratexa has gone for a lower fixed rate from their beginning 16 months ago their current price for a fiveyear contract is five cents lower than any other provider that translates into annual savings of 165 for the average consumer i think theres certainly competition said brian wikant riteratecom ceo we came into this business to be different the lower rate is a result of lower overhead costs he said unlike other marketers the webbased company does not have any agents selling door to door were like the ing direct of gas marketing he said referring to the bank with no actual branch locations our customers enrol online and that has obvious cost benefits to us and we have consistently had the lowest fixed rates in ontario since we launched the business in august 2004 mr wikant said he believes his company is receiving the majority of customers who sign up online after all its natural gas youre buying its not a ferrari versus a pinto everybodys natural gas is the same rate is the key determinant for people signing up he said of course you dont have to lock yourself into a price if you buy your gas through enbridge you pay a rate based on the price the utility pays for gas which is influ enced by the 12month forecast and adjusted four times year according to the actual rates customers rates increase and decrease with enbridges spokesperson lisa mccarneywarus agreed with ms cullen saying rip one can advise customers when it comes to the choice between a marketer and the utility theres no right or wrong its a matter of personal comfort she said however she added the utility offers stability in pric ing through its equal billing plan available to february the plan reduces the effect of the high volume use months december to march by billing thesame amount each month for 11 months so you may pay a little more in the fall and spring but you use up the credit in winter in august you get a cred it or charge for any difference it helps even out the costs over the year to make budgeting more manageable she said the utility also encourages energy efficiency plans it has for example a 200furnace rebate offer coupons were sent out in september and are available on its website under the rebates and energy tips link that means they would be using less gas to help manage their costs as well its better for the environ ment she said for more information about marketers visit ymwoebgpvonca or call 4163142455 for information about marketers in your area go to wwwenergyshopcom and type in your postal code com