As the temperatures drop, local propane customers are holding onto their Christmas cash instead of spending it to heat their homes.

While most aren’t going cold as this winter weather hits, gas officials agreed customers are holding out until the last possible minute before refilling their tanks.

At Casey Propane, Kelly McCrory said, “We did have an influx when it first turned cold, but you know the weather, it’s up and down. A lot of our customers – well, they’re people who need to spend money on Christmas, and that’s understandable.”

A Thompson Gas spokesman said their customers are doing the same.

“Most of time, people will ride the forecast and hold off until they have to buy some,” he said. “Gas companies are tied to economy just like anyone else. For most customers, it pays to be safe, and if they think they can get by until the next cold spell, that’s what happens.”

At the Opp company, the average price per gallon is $2.65, he said.

Claudia Nevels at Amerigas said the company gets the majority of its business in the fall.

“When it first turns cold, we get calls,” she said. “For our customers who own their own tanks, we put them on a route and we start filling them in the fall ahead of the cold snap.”

Nevels said their average price per gallon rests at $2.79; however, new customers are given a cheaper introductory rate.

At Casey, the average price is $2.29 per gallon plus tax. As the temperatures drop, local propane customers are holding onto their Christmas cash instead of spending it to heat their homes.

While most aren’t going cold as this winter weather hits, gas officials agreed customers are holding out until the last possible minute before refilling their tanks.

At Casey Propane, Kelly McCrory said, “We did have an influx when it first turned cold, but you know the weather, it’s up and down. A lot of our customers – well, they’re people who need to spend money on Christmas, and that’s understandable.”

A Thompson Gas spokesman said their customers are doing the same.

“Most of time, people will ride the forecast and hold off until they have to buy some,” he said. “Gas companies are tied to economy just like anyone else. For most customers, it pays to be safe, and if they think they can get by until the next cold spell, that’s what happens.”

At the Opp company, the average price per gallon is $2.65, he said.

Claudia Nevels at Amerigas said the company gets the majority of its business in the fall.

“When it first turns cold, we get calls,” she said. “For our customers who own their own tanks, we put them on a route and we start filling them in the fall ahead of the cold snap.”

Nevels said their average price per gallon rests at $2.79; however, new customers are given a cheaper introductory rate.

At Casey, the average price is $2.29 per gallon plus tax.