A “once-in-a-generation” winter storm sweeping across the country will force Americans to add to the heat when it becomes increasingly costly to do just that.
Even before this historic system came into being, experts warned that home heating costs would soar this winter to levels not seen in more than a decade.
According to a November report from the National Energy Assistance Director Association, the average cost of heating a home is expected to rise 17.2% from last winter to $1,208.
Heating costs this winter are expected to be 35.7% higher than in the winter of 2020-2021.
The price of natural gas, America’s most popular method of heating, has skyrocketed, and so has the cost of electricity.
Last month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted that homes that rely on natural gas for heating will consume, on average, 25% more this winter. A person who uses kerosene is projected to spend 45% more than he did last winter, while electricity will increase by 11% and propane by 1%.
But only if the winter turns out to be colder than expected, the heating costs will be higher.
For example, the average household using natural gas for heating will use 37% more than it did last winter if temperatures are 10% cooler than forecast, the Energy Information Administration warns. His kerosene bill jumps by 52%.
Even before winter began, consumers were feeling sticker shock. City gas prices rose 15.5% year-on-year in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Electricity bills he rose 14%.
Additional Burdens for Those in Financial Needs: The consequences are particularly acute for those who are least tolerant of fluctuations in spending.
“Home heating costs are becoming increasingly unaffordable for millions of low-income households,” said the National Association of Energy Assistance Officers in a November report.
About 1 in 6 U.S. households were behind on their utility bills as of August, according to the association, which equates to about 20 million households.
