SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — National Grid customers should see lower natural gas heating bills this winter. The utility company serves parts of Franklin and Essex Counties.

National Grid says customers should expect their winter natural gas heating bills to drop 13 percent this year because of lower fuel prices.

Spokesman Patrick Stella said Tuesday that natural gas prices have dropped about 24 percent, but an increase in the utility's delivery charge will partially offset that.

National Grid says a typical home that uses 830 therms of natural gas during the six-month period of the winter heating season spent $1,005 last year. This year, with the lower price, they'd be expected to pay $869.