According to the EIA’s short-term energy and
winter fuels outlook, the average household expenditures for
space-heating fuels will decrease $84, or 8 percent, from last winter.
According to the EIA’s short-term energy and
winter fuels outlook, it projects the average household expenditures for
space-heating fuels to be $960 this winter (Oct. 1 to March 31), a decrease of
$84, or 8 percent, from last winter.
“This forecast
principally reflects lower fuel prices, although expected slightly milder
weather than last winter will also contribute to lower fuel use in many areas,”
the report stated.
The largest expenditure decreases
are in households using natural gas and propane, projected at 12 and 14
percent, respectively. EIA expects households heating primarily with
heating oil to spend an average of $40 (2 percent) less this winter.
About 7 percent of U.S. households
depend on heating oil for winter fuel. The Northeast accounts for 80
percent of heating fuel consumption. In that region, the average household
is projected to spend 3 percent less ($60) than last winter as a result of a
2-percent decrease in consumption, with regional prices about 1 percent less
than last winter.
EIA projects residential heating
oil prices in the Northeast to average about $2.64 per gallon during the winter
season, 2 cents less than last winter. For comparison, prices averaged
$3.31 in the winter of 2007-08.
Source: Energy
Information Administration
