US Winter Heating Costs Rise 7%, Hitting Oil Users With Up to 70% Increase
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 11
US Winter Heating Costs Rise 7%, Hitting Oil Users With Up to 70% Increase
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 11
Summary
More than 7% higher home-heating bills are expected nationwide this winter, with a typical heating-oil household paying as much as $2,977 for the season.
The National Energy Assistance Directors Association tied the jump to supply disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and Russia's war with Ukraine, which have cut refinery output and tightened diesel-like heating-oil supplies.
Nearly 5 million households use heating oil, concentrated in the Northeast and Alaska, making them the most exposed to the sharpest price increases.
Electric-heated homes are projected to pay about 6% more, or $1,215, while propane users face average costs of $1,350, up about 5%.
One in six households had already fallen behind on gas and electricity bills, federal data showed, and utilities disconnected more than 15 million customers in 2024 for nonpayment.