Heating costs are rising in Kansas City: How to avoid scams, get help and keep bills lower

You may have heard that heating costs are expected to rise this winter, or maybe you’ve seen it on your own bill.

Homes heating with natural gas can expect to spend an average of 30% more this winter than last winter, and 6% more than last winter if you heat with electricity.

But with the rise in costs comes more utility scams, as people try to make a buck off of your desire to lower your costs.

Companies like Evergy are warning that scammers are calling people in the Kansas City area pretending to be employees concerned with a past bill or offering ways to save, then stealing personal information. The Kansas Corporation Commission has warned of similar scams in the past when winter costs went up.

This story is from The Star’s new Service Journalism team. We’re here to share information that makes it easier to navigate local challenges and participate in the Kansas City community. Have a question for us? Fill out the form at the bottom of this story.

Watch for red flags

The company is advising customers to not give out personal or financial information over the phone unless you are absolutely positive about who is on the other end.

Scammers are now able to change caller ID features, so that is not a guaranteed way to see if someone is who they said they are.

If you’re not sure if someone is calling from the organization they say they are, you can hang up and just call the organization directly yourself to ask about the service being offered.

Evergy has more tips for how to avoid scams here.

Help with heating costs is available

If you’re having trouble keeping up with your heating or utility payments, there are programs that can help.

The United Way of Greater Kansas City has a searchable list of local organizations with utility assistance programs. You can put in your ZIP code and find one closest to you.

Kansas City has rent and utility assistance programs listed on the city’s site.

And, the Kansas Corporation Commission has this list of local utility assistance programs.

Or, you can call 211 to connect with the United Way of Greater Kansas City to find a program that can help near you.

How to keep your costs as low as possible

The Kansas Corporation Commission offers some tips for being more energy efficient, which can keep your costs more manageable. They include sealing your locks, doors and windows to prevent heat from escaping and cold from getting in, changing or cleaning the filter in your furnace, turning off electronics when you’re not using them and keeping the shades open when it’s sunny out so the sun can help heat rooms.

Evergy also has a list of things you can do to reduce the energy you use in each room of your house.

Do you have more questions about heat, utilities or something else you’re trying to figure out how to navigate in Kansas City? You can ask our Service Journalism team to look into it at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.