Some area residents have experienced lower heating costs this year compared to last year. According to Alliant Energy, on average their customers saved an average of $110 when heating their homes this winter, compared to last year. The lower expenses are attributed to lower usage and a low price for natural gas. On average, customers used about 30% less natural gas during November and December of 2015 than they did in 2014. Alliant’s Iowa customers’ average heating cost November through February this year was $289, while last year it was $399. And in the 2009-2010 winter costs were as high as $459.