With the cooler temperatures this time of year, your furnace may be running hot and heavy.

But this year, your utility bill may be cheaper.

Not only because of the weather, but because utility prices are going to be down.

KHQA asked Leigh Morris with Ameren about the price of utilities for this winter.

"We anticipate natural gas prices are going to stay low through the winter. We are looking for a situation where folks can expect to pay 26% less than they did a year ago," says Morris.

We also asked him the reason behind the cheaper prices.

He told us demand is down all over the world.

"Factories that were working two or three shifts are running one. Businesses that were open 12 hours are now open eight. Maybe businesses have closed a protion of their facility. Unfortunately, some places don't have as many employees. That's a very sad situation, but that means less demand for energy," says Morris

Morris says don't expect those lower prices to last.

That's why it's important to try and be more energy efficient now like changing your furnace filters once a month.

Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs.

Morris also says it's a good idea to have your furnace checked once a year by a professional.

Morris also reminds everyone to have a carbon monoxide detector outside of every bedroom in your house.