Fountain Inn Natural Gas (FING) is notifying customers that they may see higher-than-usual natural gas bills for the month of January due to a sustained period of unusually cold and windy weather in addition to higher-than-normal gas prices across the region.
Between Jan. 15 and Jan. 31, the area experienced extended cold conditions that significantly increased heating demand. During this time, the average temperature was approximately 35°F, with 14 of 17 days recording average temperatures below 40°F. In addition, five days fell below freezing, including Jan. 31, when the average temperature was approximately 24°F—the same day the system recorded its highest single-day gas usage.
Wind conditions also contributed to increased usage. On Jan. 31, average winds reached approximately 14 miles per hour, with higher gusts, producing a wind chill near 12°F. These conditions accelerate heat loss in homes and businesses, requiring heating systems to run longer and more frequently…