Kevin Johns, FOX43 News
Copyright © 2008, WPMT

The summer driving season is just beginning, placing a lot of attention on gas prices. But many American families will soon be feeling the heat at home as home heating oil prices skyrocket.

Angela Wenner is feeling the winter blues-- just as we prepare to head into the summer season. "I was really shocked," said Wenner. She recently locked in a price for home heating oil for the next year. She watched her rates jump from $2.59 a gallon last year to a $4.39 a gallon this year. "It was just a dramatic change and it's gonna hit our pocket books for sure," said Wenner. Angela anticipates spending a thousand dollars more to heat her home next winter.

The shock is hitting people all across our area as they lock in prices with their oil company. "Since February first, we have experienced a 50 percent increase in our costs," said Dot Koller with Shipley Energy. Shipley Energy in York County is warning its customers of the pending prices, and programs which could help. "I don't want to say lock in today because it's going to get higher because I don't know that for certain, but I do know in my almost ten years with the company, I've rarely seen the prices fall," said Koller.

This summer Shipley is starting a home energy audit program. They'll inspect your house, and tell you where you're losing money heating and cooling it. "We'll be going into the homes to offer these audits with some high tech equipment, thermal imaging," said J.P. Kloske with Shipley Energy. The purpose of the program is to identify air leaks, areas lacking insulation and poor running equipment; anything which may save you money.