NEADA’s latest report warns that home heating costs will climb 9.2% this winter, pushing the average household to spend $995 on heating-an $84 jump from last season.
Projected Heating Costs and Inflation
The report, produced by the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, projects a 9.2% rise in heating expenses. That increase far outpaces the 3% inflation rate recorded in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Energy prices themselves rose 2.8% over the past year, with electricity up 5.1% and natural gas up 11.7%.
Energy Price Details
Households using electric heaters face a 12.2% price hike, while those relying on natural gas see an 8.4% increase. NEADA also notes that the average monthly electric bill has jumped 29.2% since 2021, and natural gas prices have risen nearly 50% over the past year.
“These increases may not sound dramatic to higher-income households, but for families already struggling, they are devastating,” said Mark Wolfe, NEADA’s executive director. “Millions of households are being pushed deeper into utility debt and closer to shutoffs simply because they cannot afford to keep their homes warm.”
Policy and Political Context
Congress has cut Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding to $4 billion from $6.1 billion in 2023. NEADA urges lawmakers to restore prior levels and invest in grid modernization and clean energy.
Utility price hikes are already influencing the 2026 midterms, as Democratic candidates in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City pledge to address cost-of-living concerns. President Donald Trump, who campaigned on curbing inflation and energy costs in 2024, began a domestic tour in Pennsylvania last week to highlight his administration’s efforts to lower costs.
Key Takeaways
- Heating costs projected to rise 9.2%, averaging $995 per household.
- Electric heater users face 12.2% price increase; natural gas users 8.4%.
- LIHEAP funding cut to $4 billion; NEADA calls for restoration and grid investment.
The report underscores a sharp rise in heating expenses amid broader inflationary pressures, highlighting the growing strain on families and the urgent need for policy action.
