(10/14/06) ROWAYTON ? As fall temperatures turn into winter chills, Connecticut residents look ahead to looming home heating bills.

Energy consultant Peter Beutel says there are three conventional ways to address home heating payment. He says homeowners can choose to pay as they go with market rates, lock up a fixed rate for the season or negotiate a capped price with the natural gas or oil heat distributor. A cap, or price ceiling, sets the maximum amount the consumer will pay, while still allowing the cost to go down as the market lowers. Beutel recommends this method, calling it the best of both worlds.

Connecticut homeowners continue to mull the options. Either way, the past week?s cold has pressed the issue much sooner than anticipated.