Home heating costs projected to rise 7.1% this winter

Winter heating estimate

American households are projected to spend an average of on home heating this winter, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association estimates. That would be about 7.1% more than last year, making winter energy costs higher for households on average.

The projected increase is per household. Subtracting that increase from the new estimate puts last year’s comparable average at. The percentage and dollar figures describe the same year-over-year change: an average winter heating expense rising from about to.

NEADA’s figures are projections rather than final household spending totals. The amount is a nationwide household average, while the figure measures the projected increase from the previous year’s average.

Energy prices and household costs

The estimate arrives as oil prices are rising amid developments involving Iran. Oil prices are one part of the broader energy-cost picture highlighted by the winter projection.

The new estimate places average winter heating spending above. It also shows how a single-digit percentage increase translates into additional household expenses: roughly seven cents more for every dollar spent on heating last year.

The figures focus on the cost change between last year and this winter. Final spending can be assessed after the winter period, when actual household heating costs can be compared with NEADA’s projected national average.