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Your Money · Report · File No. 261111-590

Home heating bills to rise more than 7% this winter, with oil users hit hardest

A national group of state energy-aid officials projects average heating costs up more than 7%, and up to 70% for homes that burn heating oil. It matters for older people on fixed incomes, who feel higher winter bills most.

By the Kitchen-Table Desk · · 2 min read

Every quote in this story (2) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

My clippings
Maura Healey
Maura Healey. Photo: Governors office, Public domain

Home heating costs are projected to rise more than 7% on average across the country this winter, according to a new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, known as NEADA. The group represents state officials who run energy-aid programs and seek federal funding for them 13. Some households could see increases of up to 70% 12.

Our fact desk could not confirm a more precise national average in the coverage we were able to read, so we are using the "more than 7%" figure those reports give.

Heating oil households face the biggest jump

Nearly 5 million households use heating oil. Their seasonal costs could jump 70%, to about $2,977, with the largest increases in the Northeast and Alaska 1. Electric heating is projected to rise about 6%, to $1,215. Propane is projected to rise about 5%, to an average of $1,350 1.

In the Northeast, the average heating bill is expected to rise 16.9%, or $221. That takes it from $1,311 last winter to $1,532 this winter 1. The report ties the increases partly to the war with Iran and to reduced refinery output in the Middle East and Russia 12.

From Channel GOPMaura Healey on Democrats retaking CongressMaura Healey · 226 plays · captioned, with the source named

What NEADA says

NEADA's executive director, Mark Wolfe, said the pressure will not ease quickly. He called it "prudent to assume that heating oil prices will remain elevated throughout the winter heating season" 2. He also called the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, "highly volatile" 1.

Energy is not a luxury.
Mark Wolfe, executive director, National Energy Assistance Directors Association1

About one in six U.S. households is behind on utility payments. Together they owe roughly $23 billion 12. NEADA urged Congress to act before the higher bills arrive 1.

Congress has an opportunity to provide immediate relief before these higher winter bills arrive.
Mark Wolfe, executive director, National Energy Assistance Directors Association1

What Washington and the states have done

Last month, the Trump administration released 315,000 barrels from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve. Senators Susan Collins of Maine, a Republican, and Angus King of Maine, an independent, had asked for the release. It added about 13% to the region's heating oil supply, and the report says the reserve had never before been used specifically to lower consumer prices 2.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, declared a state of energy emergency last month. She issued an executive order to expand heating assistance and lower electricity costs 2. Maine's statewide heating oil average hit a record $6.04 a gallon on Oct. 19, up 83% from a year earlier 2.

One Massachusetts homeowner told reporters an oil refill cost $450. That is up from about $329 before the Iran war began in February 2.

Why it matters

That matters because heating is not a bill families can skip. For retirees on fixed incomes, a cost jump of hundreds of dollars is hard to absorb, and a cold snap would make it worse. Wolfe said these increases may be "an inconvenience" for higher-income households 1.

The report lands as the affordability fight continues after the Nov. 3 midterms. Congress returns with a Dec. 11 funding deadline, and a decision on energy-aid money could come as part of that fight.

Readers who need help can contact their local Community Action Agency. The agency can explain how to apply for state heating aid, such as the Home Energy Assistance Program in Massachusetts 2.

The Record

  1. Maine's statewide heating oil average hit a record $6.04 a gallon, up 83% from a year earlier 2.
  2. The Trump administration released 315,000 barrels from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve at the request of Sens. Collins and King; the report dates this only as 'last month' 2.
  3. NEADA's report projected winter heating costs up more than 7% nationwide, and up to 70% for some households 13.
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Sources

  1. The Guardian (via Finwire), “Average US heating bills to rise 7% this winter nationwide: report” (2026-11-11). finwire.io/news/world-news/average-us-heating-bills-to-rise-
  2. Newsy Today, “Neada Report: US Heating Bills Projected to Rise 7% This Winter” (2026-11-11). newsy-today.com/neada-report-us-heating-bills-projected-to-r
  3. Political Wire, “Heating Costs Will Rise 7% On Average This Winter” (2026-11-11). politicalwire.com/2026/11/11/heating-costs-will-rise-7-on-av

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