WASHINGTON, D.C.–(AVC News)—Along with high gasoline and diesel fuel prices, as temperatures start to cool, families are worrying about how they will pay to heat their homes, especially those that rely on oil.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Winter Fuels Outlook, prices for the upcoming the winter heating season, November through March, are a mixed picture depending on your primary heating fuel.
• Natural Gas: Average household expenditures are projected to drop by about 9% due to lower fuel prices and healthy storage levels. (However, some industry groups are predicting a slight increase of 5%–8% based on regional cold snaps.)
• Propane: Average expenditures are projected to decline by about 3% nationally, though drops could be steeper in regions like the Northeast.
• Electricity: Average household heating costs are projected to rise by about 4% to 9% due to higher distribution and generation expenses.
• Heating Oil: Average expenditures are projected to jump by 21% driven by tight global distillate and diesel/oil supplies, with average prices hitting $5.26 a gallon, which is a 34% increase from last winter. Some reports say fuel oil costs in certain parts of the U.S. are up 74% over last year.
About 4.1 million US homes use heating oil, with most concentrated in the Northeast. Wars in Russia and the Middle East are pushing the price of distillate fuels—including diesel and heating oil—to levels that have people looking for solutions.
Consumer Assistance Sources
There is some government relief, as several states have already released emergency funds to help with steep energy bills, which includes the rising cost of electricity.
The Trump administration has called for reducing funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low and fixed income households shoulder heating and cooling costs.
Here in Ohio, the PUCO has issued its Special Reconnect Order. Running from October 12, 2026 through Aupril 16, 2027 the program helps customers reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service.
In addition, again this year, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services is offering the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and winter weatherization programs to help eligible low-income households manage utility bills.
