Heating costs set to rise this winter

A new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) estimates home heating expenses in the U.S. will increase 10.5% this winter over last year. That will bring the average seasonal bill to $982, up from $889 in 2023.

The good news? That’s not near as bad a jump as it was in 2021 or 2022.

Expected colder weather in the Northeast and Midwest is a big part of the reason for the higher average bill. And families that heat their home using electricity could feel it more than anyone. NEADA estimates they’ll see a 13.6% bill increase, to $1,208.

High maintenance costs and upgrades on the grid are the reasons for that jump. Western states have been particularly impacted by this due to fires. Prices there could jump 22.8% this winter, the organization said.

Still, every form of heater will see some increase. Propane will be up an average of 7.3% to $1,442 and natural gas users can expect an average 7.2% increase to $644, as those prices are expected to increase as winter drags on. Oil heaters will see a 6.1% rise, to $1,963, but that’s better than last year as prices were surging then.

The higher bills come as a growing number of people are unable to afford their utility payments. NEADA urged Congress to not only increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from $4.1 billion to $6.1 billion (which was provided last year), but also to earmark $1 billion for emergency assistance for the nation’s poorest families.

“In the short term, we need to support the millions of families across the country who are struggling to keep up with monthly utility payments,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA.in a statement.

The winter forecast comes after 70% of Americans say extreme heat has driven up their electricity bills in the past year.