Average Heating Bill This Winter (2026–27)
Heading into winter 2026–27, what you pay to stay warm depends heavily on how you heat. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects the average household will spend about $640 on natural gas, $1,196 on electricity, $1,246 on propane, and a painful $2,115 on heating oil across the November–March season.[1] Here's the full breakdown, who's getting hit hardest, and how to cut your bill. More in our Personal Finance Statistics Hub →
Projected winter heating cost by fuel
These are national averages for the full November-to-March heating season, with the change from last winter:[1]
| Heating fuel | Avg. this winter | vs. last winter |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | $640 | −9% |
| Electricity | $1,196 | +4% |
| Propane | $1,246 | −3% |
| Heating oil | $2,115 | +21% |
Source: U.S. EIA Winter Fuels Outlook, October 2026.[1] These averages describe different groups of homes (and climates), not the cost of running different systems in the same house, so don't use them alone to decide on a fuel switch.
What you'll pay, visualized
Who's hit hardest: heating-oil homes
If you heat with oil — common across the Northeast — brace yourself. The season average is forecast at $2,115, up 21%, with retail prices near $5.26 a gallon (up about 34%).[1] The culprit is the same one pushing diesel to record highs: heating oil and diesel are both distillates, so higher crude prices, reduced refining, and tight supplies hit them together. Gas-heated homes, by contrast, should see a modest break, with the Northeast natural-gas average down about 14%.
📊 Key insight
The fuel you heat with matters more than almost anything else: an oil-heated home will spend over three times what a gas-heated home does this winter ($2,115 vs. $640). Most U.S. homes use natural gas, which is both the cheapest option and getting cheaper — so the "average American" heating bill is lower than the scary oil headline suggests. If you're on oil or propane, this is the winter to tighten up the house and shop your supplier.
How to lower your heating bill
- Drop the thermostat a few degrees and use a programmable or smart thermostat — each degree lower saves roughly 1–3%.
- Seal drafts and add insulation around doors, windows, and the attic so you're not paying to heat the outdoors.
- Service your furnace or heat pump before peak season; a clean, tuned system runs cheaper.
- Lock in oil/propane early or ask about pre-buy and budget-billing plans to smooth the spikes.
- Check assistance programs. LIHEAP and many utilities offer help for lower-income households — don't leave it on the table.
Don't let winter bills blow up your budget
Heating, holidays, and gifts all land at once. A budgeting app helps you plan for the whole season.
Best Budgeting Apps → Electric Bill by StateFrequently Asked Questions
Per the EIA: about $640 for natural gas, $1,196 for electricity, $1,246 for propane, and $2,115 for heating oil over the Nov–Mar season. Gas is cheapest and heats most homes.
Mixed: heating oil +21% and electricity +4%, but natural gas −9% and propane −3%. Most homes (gas) see slightly lower bills; oil homes face a big jump.
It's forecast at $2,115 (+21%), ~$5.26/gal, on higher crude and distillate prices, reduced refining, and tight supply — the same forces lifting diesel.
Natural gas (~$640/winter) is the cheapest common fuel; efficient electric heat pumps are also competitive, especially in milder climates. Oil and propane cost the most.
Lower the thermostat, seal drafts, add insulation, service the system, lock in fuel early, and check LIHEAP/utility assistance.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — Winter Fuels Outlook 2026–27 (Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026; average household heating expenditures and price forecasts by fuel).