Heating costs to rise this winter

The Energy Information Administration on October 9 released its short-term energy and winter-fuels outlook for the upcoming winter. The bottom line: Prices across all major fuel types will be higher this year than last. The average U.S. household will spend about 10 percent more on heating this winter, with the cost rising to $977 from $889 a year ago.

According to the EIA, the cost of:

• heating oil (used by 7 percent of the 108 million U.S. households) will soar by 22 percent, or $319 per household;
• propane (used by 5 percent) will climb 16 percent, or $221 per household;
• natural gas (used by 58 percent) will increase by 10 percent, or $78 per household; and
• electricity (used by 30 percent) will go up 4 percent, or $32 per household.

Chilling news, yes, but you don’t need to take it lying down. Instead, use our home heating tips to learn simple ways to cut your fuel costs. Adjusting your thermostat, for example, could reduce your heating bill by 20 percent. You might also discover breaks that need plugging in the envelope of your home. These and other energy-saving measures will do double duty come summer, lowering your cooling costs even as electricity prices climb.

Looking for an upbeat forecast? The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration is predicting that in the lower 48 states this winter will be about 2 percent warmer than the 30-year average . . . though that's about 4 percent colder than last year.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Read “Save hundreds on energy costs” (from the October 2007 issue of Consumer Reports) for more expert advice on slashing your utility bills. Don’t miss our latest reports on thermostats, windows, and space heaters for more information on home products that can help you reduce energy consumption. And if you’re considering wood or pellets to heat your home, user our buyer’s guide to the stoves that burn these alternative fuels.