(Merrillville, IN) - NIPSCO is handing out an early treat for Halloween, with the utility company now projecting much lower heating bills for its customers during the upcoming heating season.

According to NIPSCO, the natural gas bills for residential customers from November through March are expected to be 24 percent lower than last year. The figures are based on current market projections under normal weather conditions for the winter.

An average residential customer’s monthly bill for natural gas is projected at just over $131.00 during the height of the heating season in January.

The market price for natural gas is 51 percent lower than last winter because of factors such as increased production and lower exports that have increased U.S. supplies.