Utilities

Home Heating Costs

Heating costs in and around the Helena area are consistently lower than other areas of the U.S. The following rates per therm* are based on April 2006 costs.

Heating Appliance Cost per Therm
Electric Baseboard	$2.39
Propane (90% Efficient)	$2.05
Wood Pellets	$1.25
Natural Gas (90% Efficient)	$1.21
Wood Stove	$.59

* cost per 100,000 btu's delivered as useable heat

• Montana Propane www.montanapropane.com
• Northern Energy www.heritagepropane.com
• Northwestern Energy www.northwestern.com
• Smitty's Fireplace Shop

Electricity

NorthWestern Energy serves electricity to the majority of the local and rural Helena market, with Vigilante Electric serving a portion of the rural area. For current electric rates, please visit the websites noted below.

• Northwestern Energy www.northwestern.com
• Vigilante Electric www.vec.coop

Communications

Local, long distance, and wireless telephone service, high speed internet, cable, and satellite television service is available in most areas of the Helena region. For service information, please visit the websites noted below.

• Qwest www.qwest.com
• Bresnan Communications www.bresnan.net
• Cellular One www.cellularonewest.com
• Chinook Wireless www.chinookwireless.net
• NextiraOne www.nextiraone.com
• Verizon Wireless www.verizonwireless.com

Water

The City of Helena provides water and wastewater service to residents of Helena. Consumable water for homes outside of the City's territory is provided by wells that are on average 75-300 feet deep, depending on the location, and normally produce 10-15 gpm.

• City of Helena www.ci.helena.mt.us
• Lindsay Drilling www.lindsaydrilling.com
• H&L Drilling