Winter Heating Costs Up 7.6% This Year

Home heating costs are rising faster than inflation, and they’re expected to continue doing so, according to a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. 

This winter, heating costs are projected to rise from a national average of $907 last year to an average of $976. The increase can be attributed to the rising cost of electricity and natural gas. 

In the Northeast, home heating costs aren’t expected to rise quite as much, but it is worth noting that the region has the highest heating costs to begin with. This winter, NEADA predicts that the Northeast will see a 2.8% increase in heating costs, up to $1,162 from $1,131 last year. 

In this region, natural gas is expected to experience the highest percentage increase, followed by electricity. Heating oil and propane are projected to see lower prices. The breakdown for average costs in the Northeast is as follows: 

• Natural gas: 8.1% increase 
  • Last winter: $867 
  • This winter: $936
• Electricity: 7.2% increase 
  • Last winter: $1,432
  • This winter: $1,536
• Heating oil: 4.0% decrease 
  • Last winter: $1,515
  • This winter: $1,455
• Propane: 5.8% decrease 
  • Last winter: $1,748
  • This winter: $1,647