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Consumers Face Higher Heating Bills

Forecast predicts 15 percent increase in heating costs from last year

October 7, 2008

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Economic worries have carried one silver lining. They've pushed world oil prices lower, almost to levels where they were a year ago. But while consumers are getting a break at the gas pump, the government says that won't extend to winter heating bills.

In its home heating forecast, the Energy Information Administration said U.S. households are projected to spend an average of $1,137 for heating this winter, an increase of 15.3 percent over last winter.

Forecasts as of October 7, 2008 for average winter heating expenditures are:

• $1,010 for households heating with natural gas, an 18 percent increase

• $2,388 for households heating with oil, a 23 percent increase

• $1,861 for households heating with propane, an 11 percent increase

• $947 for households heating with electricity, a 10 percent increase

The largest price increase for all heating fuels is projected for the south. The smallest increase in fuel expenditures is projected for the west, according to the EIA report.

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