CHARLOTTE — Americans could pay an average of 8.7% more to heat their homes this winter, according to new projections from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
Heating oil users could see the biggest increase, with bills projected to be more than 30% higher than last winter.
Electricity customers could see heating costs rise about 9%, while propane users are expected to see a slightly smaller increase.
Natural gas customers are projected to see the lowest increase, at about 5.8%.
The association says those increases could have been even higher without the potential for a warmer winter due to El Niño conditions.
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