DETROIT (WWJ) - A nice surprise in the mail this month for Detroit-area homeowners.

With many days with above freezing - temps should lead to significantly cheaper gas bills for many households.

Consumers Energy spokesperson Debra Dodd says it's mostly due to the milder weather.

"The figures that I'm looking at -it looks like typical residential bills should be down about 19% - this will depend on your own personal circumstance but overall that's what it's looking like for last month," said Dodd.

Dodd says consumers used 16% less gas on average last month than they did in December 2010 and gas prices are down another 3% over last winter.