TORONTO -- Ontarians who use natural gas to heat their homes and fuel appliances will get a break on the price starting in the new year.

The Ontario Energy Board has approved rate decreases for Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. and Union Gas Ltd. effective Jan. 1, 2016.

The board says typical residential customers with Enbridge who use about 2,200 cubic metres of gas per year will see their bills fall by about $43 next year.

Those with Union Gas who use the same amount will see savings ranging from $47.76 in the north to $49.48 in southern Ontario.

About 58 per cent of Ontario households rely on natural gas for heating.

Mild temperatures across most of eastern Canada and the United States combined with an oversupply have cooled demand for natural gas, sending prices to 14-year lows earlier this month.

The 30 per cent of Ontario homes that use electricity for heating, and every other hydro consumer, will see bills rise again on Jan. 1 because of changes to Liberal government energy programs.