Cold snap sends US heating bills higher — millions could face average costs near $1,189

As winter deepens, millions of Americans are confronting a familiar but growing strain: sharply higher heating bills. A recent cold snap across large parts of the country is pushing energy use up just as electricity prices continue to climb. For many households, the financial pressure is arriving after an already costly summer.

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How much are heating bills rising this winter?

Home heating costs are expected to climb for most Americans through January and beyond. According to new data from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), average winter heating bills are projected to rise by about 8.7%, bringing the seasonal average to roughly $941.

NEADA, which represents state administrators of utility assistance programs for low-income households, said the increase is being driven largely by higher electricity prices combined with repeated “cold snaps” in the Midwest and Northeast. Both regions have already experienced a major winter storm that killed at least four people, disrupted travel, and caused widespread power outages, as per a report by The US Sun.

While households using natural gas, heating oil, or propane will still see higher bills, the sharpest increases are being felt by those relying on electric heating.


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Why are electric-heated homes hit the hardest?

For households that use electricity to heat their homes, winter bills are projected to rise by as much as 14.2%. That pushes the average seasonal cost to about $1,189, up from $1,040 last winter—a $149 increase.

NEADA also found that electricity prices rose 3.1% between November 2024 and 2025, outpacing the 2.7% inflation rate over the same period, as per a report by The US Sun.

“Families who just finished paying for record-high electric bills because of extreme summer temperatures are now facing higher winter bills as well,” Mark Wolfe, executive director at NEADA, said in a statement. “They’re getting hit on both sides.”


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How did summer costs make the problem worse?

The pressure didn’t start with winter. Americans paid an average of about $784 on air conditioning during the summer, the highest seasonal average in the past 12 years. That marked a 6.2% jump from last year’s $737 average.

At the time, NEADA warned that electricity costs were rising faster than inflation and that hotter summers—driven by climate change, were forcing households to use more energy to stay cool. Now, many of those same families are heading into winter with little financial breathing room.

Is LIHEAP enough to cover rising energy costs?

The federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) received about $3.7 billion in September as part of an appropriations bill from the Biden administration. The funding is intended to help Americans afford utility costs this winter.

However, that amount is more than $2 billion below what LIHEAP officials say is needed to restore funding to 2023 levels. Under the current structure, about 80% of LIHEAP assistance goes toward winter heating costs, with the remaining 20% used for summer cooling, as per a report by The US Sun.


“I thought that with record summer temperatures, we had a pretty good case,” Wolfe told NBC News.

What happens if assistance doesn’t increase?

Wolfe warned that without additional LIHEAP funding, “consumer debt levels will likely reach even higher.” That could lead to utility shutoffs or force families into “tough choices of paying for their utility bills or food, medicine and other essentials.”

NEADA estimates show that one in six households is currently behind on energy bills. Total outstanding utility debt has risen by 30% over the past year, reaching more than $21 billion as of September.

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What can households do to cut energy costs?

The Energy Department advises several steps to help lower energy bills, including sealing cracks around doors and windows and keeping thermostats away from drafts or direct sunlight. Using cold water instead of warm water when running a washing machine can also reduce electricity use.

Some Americans may still qualify for about $250 in utility credits this January, offering limited relief as winter heating demands peak, as per a report by The US Sun.


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FAQs

How high could winter heating bills reach?
Homes using electric heat could see average winter bills of up to $1,189.

Why are bills rising so fast?
Higher electricity prices and repeated cold snaps are driving costs upward.