Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 18/00) - There's not much that can be done about skyrocketing fuel prices, and consumers in the city are coping as best they can.

The price of home heating oil in Yellowknife was quoted () at 53.9 cents per litre plus G.S.T. by Shell Canada Products Limited Friday. In December 1999, Shell charged 42.3 cents per litre. Rates were not available for October 1999.

Alex Debogorski, who runs Eagle North Contracting out of his home in Kam Lake, said he is having trouble filling his oil tank and is "praying" that prices will go down.

Debogoski's tank was empty for several days last week. He told Yellowknifer on Friday that he was planning on filling it up later that day.

"I haven't filled it until now for (this) reason -- so my family doesn't use the fuel ... my kids are not fiscally responsible and as soon as they get cold they just crank 'er (the thermostat) to the end," he said.

Debogorski said he has considered converting to alternative energy sources, but said that can be costly and could absorb a lot of his time.

Homeowners are taking extra measures to make their homes air-tight, according to Chuck Corothers, manager of Beaver Lumber.

"Weather stripping sales are up significantly, people foaming around their doors and windows, people buying timers (for electrical lights) and so on," he said.

Corothers said if homeowners want to reduce their power bills to make up for high heating costs, fluorescent-type light fixtures can be used as an alternative to the traditional light bulbs.

"A 40 watt fluorescent tube draws 32 watts of power and gives the same kind of light as a 100 watt incandescent bulb," he said.

Many people are also replacing windows and doors with more efficient ones, added Corothers.

The company has also taken measures to deal with the rising cost of fuel.

Corothers said the company insulated water pipes to help retain heat, and employees have been told to turn down the thermostat in the evenings.