Homes That Burn Heating Oil Will Pay About 21% More This Winter While Gas And Propane Homes Spend Less, And East Coast Fuel Stocks Sit 32% Below Average

Whether your winter heating bill goes up or down may depend on a single question. What fuel does your furnace burn?

Golden dog curled up on a chair beside a brick fireplace and radiator

The U.S. Energy Information Administration released its winter outlook on October 6, and the answer splits American homes into winners and losers.

The agency’s press release lays out why households that burn oil are in for a rougher season.

Gas And Propane Homes Spend Less

The EIA expects households that heat with natural gas or propane to spend less than last winter. Homes with electric heat are expected to spend more.

For many households, that tilt comes down to what they cannot easily change. You cannot swap your furnace in a week.

Heating Oil Is The Hard Hit

About 3% of households heat with oil, and the agency says they will pay about 21% more. Inventories of distillate fuel on the East Coast are 32% below the five-year average.

Diesel averaged $6.29 in September, a sign of how tight the supply is.

Electricity Is Getting Costlier Too

Wholesale electricity prices are around $52 per megawatt hour, up 11%. Homes that depend on electric heat feel that more than others.

Ways To Lower A Fuel Bill

If you use oil, ask your supplier about fixed-price or capped plans before the cold hits. Compare quotes from more than one company.

Fill your tank before the coldest weeks, if your budget allows, so you are not buying during a price spike.

Know Your Heating Type

Natural gas: delivered by pipe, billed monthly.
Propane: delivered by truck, often under a contract.
Heating oil: delivered by truck, priced by the gallon.
Electric: billed monthly, rate depends on your utility.

Heat Pumps As An Option

Some homeowners look at heat pumps, which can lower the cost of heating, especially in milder climates. Installation costs vary, and some programs and rebates may help. Talk to a licensed contractor and get several quotes.

Do The Cheap Things First

Whatever your fuel, the same basics apply. Seal drafts, change the filter, bleed radiators, and use a programmable thermostat to avoid heating an empty house.

A tune-up for your furnace or boiler before winter helps it run efficiently, and a technician can spot safety problems like cracks or leaks.

Safety Comes With Cold Weather

Make sure carbon monoxide alarms work on every level. Fuel-burning equipment makes the gas, and a vent blockage can send it into the home.

Keep the area around the furnace, boiler or heater clear of boxes and storage. Never use an oven to heat a home.

Plan Your Budget

If you are in the group facing a higher bill, add up what you spent last winter and add a cushion. Many fuel dealers offer budget plans that spread costs across the year.

The right plan depends on your fuel and your cash flow, so ask what your supplier offers before the cold weather arrives.

Watch The Forecast

A colder than normal winter raises demand for every fuel. Being ready for that, by sealing and insulating now, protects you whatever the forecast does.

If You Rent

You may not control the furnace, but you can still lower your bill. Use door draft stoppers, put plastic film on drafty windows and keep furniture away from heat vents.

Ask your landlord who pays for heat and whether the system has been serviced. Tenants have the right to a safe, working heating system in most places, so report problems in writing.

Check The Chimney And Vents

If you burn wood or oil, have the chimney or flue inspected each year. Creosote and soot build up and can cause chimney fires. A blocked vent can also push exhaust back into the house.

Make sure the vent outside is clear of snow or debris after a storm. Clear it gently by hand.

Stock Up Safely

If you use wood or pellets, buy early and store them dry and away from the house wall. If you use propane, keep your tank at a safe level and know your delivery schedule, since a run of cold weather can create delays.

Keep an emergency kit with blankets, flashlights, batteries and a few days of food and water in case the heat fails or a storm stops deliveries.

Compare Suppliers

Fuel dealers set their own prices. Calling two or three of them can show a gap of several cents a gallon. Ask about delivery fees, minimum purchases and whether there is a discount for paying on time or in cash.

Read any contract carefully, especially the price terms and the cancellation rules, before you sign.

Kids, Pets And Older Relatives

Keep indoor temperatures at a safe level for babies, older adults and anyone with a health condition. A bill is a problem you can solve later, but a house that is too cold is a risk to health today.

If you cannot afford to keep the home warm, call your utility, your state energy office or your local help line right away rather than waiting.

Revisit The Plan In January

Check your usage and your fuel level in the middle of winter. If costs run higher than you expected, adjust early. Small changes in January save more than big ones in March.

Willow and Hearth