People in Lewiston, Auburn and Lisbon who heat their homes with natural gas were in a position to save a bit compared to their oil-burning neighbors.

Northern Utilities, which serves the communities via its underground pipelines, estimates its average residential customer will have spent $1,314 for the six-month heating season that runs from October through March.

That figure compares to $1,950 estimated as the winter cost for people in Maine heating with No. 2 fuel oil.

Phil Lindley, a spokesman for the state’s Public Utilities Commission, said the estimate is included in an order dated October 29, 2004, that set winter rates for Northern Utilities.

The same order notes that Northern Utilities estimated its average residential customer would spend an average of $220 a month for the season that is about to end.

That’s a 3.6 percent increase over the gas company’s rates for the winter of 2003-04. The company said its average residential customer last season paid $211.50 per month to keep warm.

Gas is sold in 100-cubic-feet units.

– Doug Fletcher