The Associated Press

A winter that is expected to be warmer than last year will lower heating bills for customers of all fuels, according to the Energy Department’s annual outlook. Heating oil and propane customers will see the biggest declines because fuel consumption will fall and the prices of those fuels are expected to be sharply lower than last year. Natural gas and electricity prices are expected to rise, but lower consumption will lower overall bills slightly. Below are the Energy Departments predictions for average heating costs by fuel between October 1 and March 31.

Natural Gas

Number of U.S. Households: 58.8 million

This year: $649

Last year: $680

Savings: $31

Electricity

Number of U.S. Households: 47.5 million

This year: $938

Last year: $955

Savings: $17

Heating oil

Number of U.S. Households: 6.3 million

This year: $1,992

Last year: $2,345

Savings: $353

Propane (Midwest only)

Number of Households: 5.7 million

This year: $1,500

Last year: $2,267

Savings: $767

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