It will probably cost even more heat your home this winter, but some states are stepping up aid programs to help people pay their bills.
The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) has predicted that the average household can expect to pay approximately 17% more than last winter on their heating bills. This increase would bring the average cost of heating a home for the months of October to March from $1,031 to $1,208.
Home heating costs can vary greatly depending on where you live and how your home is heated, as well as how high you set the thermostat. But heating costs are rising across the board this year.
NEADA expects the average cost of heating a home with natural gas to climb nearly 28% this year, from $724 to $931. He predicts that the average cost of heating a home with oil will increase from $1,859 last year to $2,354 this year, an increase of about 27%. The cost of electric heat is expected to increase by about 10%, while propane heating costs will increase by about 5%.
Responsible for the sharp increases are energy costs, which have risen due to rising demand and supply constraints caused by the war in Ukraine, experts say.
Although there are many ways to reduce your heating bills – like turning your thermostat at night, by replacing your furnace filters and sealing air leaks, you may also be eligible for government financial assistance.
Help with home heating bills
You may be eligible for the Home Energy Assistance Program for Low-Income People, which is funded by the federal government and administered by the states. It provides cash assistance for utility bills and weatherization costs, and some states are also increasing resources for their residents.
Here are some examples of state programs designed to help deal with skyrocketing heating bills this winter. (This is not an exhaustive list. If you don’t live in one of the states below, check on the programs available in your state to see if you are eligible for assistance.)
Connecticut
Connecticut state officials are developing a to plan to provide residents with $10 per month credits on their electricity bills from January to April, as well as additional rebates for low-income households. Electricity rates should double in Connecticut on January 1.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Energy Assistance Program recently increased maximum payout eligible households can receive $600 to $1,500 to cover fuel delivery costs this winter.
New Hampshire
In September, New Hampshire passed legislation to create a $42 million energy assistance program that was designed to send up to $650 in cash to eligible residents to help ease the burden of high energy costs. the New Hampshire Bulletin reports that the program is on track to be operational by the end of the year.
Rhode Island
Last month, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announcement additional funding of $1.5 million to reduce electricity bills for eligible residents, on top of the $5.3 million already allocated for this purpose this fall. McKee said the program will save Rhode Island customers about $190 each this winter.
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