Households Face Higher Heating Costs This Winter

Heating costs are expected to rise for many U.S. households this winter, with higher electricity, natural gas and heating-oil prices driving the increases. Northeast households are especially exposed because nearly 5 million rely on heating oil, and estimates suggest their costs could rise about 31%, from an average of $1,749 last winter to roughly $2,297 this winter; some analysts warn increases could approach 50% if diesel prices continue climbing. A separate national analysis projects average household heating costs will increase by nearly 9%, adding about $82 to annual bills, while utility rate increases could impose substantially higher costs over the coming years. Heating contractors are advising homeowners to improve the efficiency and maintenance of existing systems—including burners, controls, thermostats, valves and filters—before considering replacement. Rising fuel costs have been linked in the reports to broader geopolitical tensions and oil-market disruptions, including the wars involving Iran and Russia and Ukraine.