Those who use oil heat won't be the only ones worrying about high bills this season — prices for natural gas are likely to be 80 percent more than last year's.

Students who live off campus and are paying utilities might find they are lowering the thermostat to try to save money.

Mike Eshoo (senior-electrical engineering) said that last month his heating bill was $80, the highest he's ever seen during his two years living at State College Park Apartments, 349 W. Clinton Ave.

Eshoo and his three roommates keep the thermostat just above 70 degrees, but Eshoo said his feet still get cold.

"It's definitely going up," he said. "We like to be warm. You have to pay for it."

Experts say gas costs are rising because of an increase in cost in the extraction and transportation of the fuel. The overhead cost has more than doubled in the past two years, according to the Energy Information Association (EIA), a government agency that studies energy use.

"There's been a rapid increase in prices," said Dave Costello, an economist with EIA.

He also said apartment complexes that do not charge tenants additional for natural gas are being hit particularly hard.

"They're (the realtors) not going to like the situation they are in," he said. "They have a fixed rental. They're going to be pressed to put a surcharge."

Some local realtors said they've added a surcharge to their tenants' rents to accommodate the increase in gas prices.

"A lot of people out there are struggling," said Helen Bannon, the property manager for the Lions Gate Apartments, 424 Waupelani Drive.

"(Prices) depend on which part of the unit you are in, but the corner units can be very expensive," she said.

Until this season, Lions Gate typically included the cost of the natural gas with the rent, but due to this year's nearly 80 percent rise in cost, the management added a $20 monthly surcharge.

When Matt Abrams (graduate-materials science) first read signs at Lions Gate saying there was an energy crisis, he tried to keep the thermostat down to the recommended 68 degrees, but he found he was too cold.

He now keeps it around 75 degrees at night and said the surcharge is reasonable.

"We heard about the cost of gas going up," he said.

"It makes sense to a degree (to start charging extra). I understand."

Realtors at GN Associates, 119 S. Burrowes St., hope tenants will help to conserve. The company gave their tenants a letter with tips on keeping the gas bill down, said GN realtor Sheryl Scott.

Bannon said the apartment complex does not want tenants to turn their heat completely off because the water pipes could burst.

Tenants at Lions Gate are also asked to keep windows closed and to call the office if they feel a draft.

Also, they can lower heating costs by not propping open the outside door and to call maintenance if there are any leaks, Bannon said.

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Inc., Pittsburgh, also recommends installing a low-flow showerhead, which could cut the cost of hot water used during a shower in half.

"These conservation efforts that individuals and realtors can use on a property when used individually are a minimum," said Rob Boulware, spokesman for Columbia Gas.

"But, collectively, they can add up to a big savings."