• Average winter heating costs projected to rise 7.6% to nearly $1,000 this season
• About 21 million households already behind on energy bills, with 4 million facing shutoffs
• Days will finally start getting longer after the winter solstice on December 21

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — Millions of cash-strapped Americans are about to be hit with an unpleasant surprise: an increase in their monthly heating bills this winter.

Two analyses of national energy data found electricity price hikes are expected pretty much across the board.

MoneyGeek, which used data from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association for its report, found homes that rely on electric heating can expect to pay 10% more this winter, on average.

States Hit Hardest

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Another analysis by This Old House, using U.S. Energy Information Administration data, estimated the biggest electricity bill increases this winter will be in Maryland ($38), West Virginia ($38), Alabama ($35), Virginia ($34), Connecticut ($33), Delaware ($32), Tennessee ($32), Hawaii ($30), Kentucky ($30), and South Carolina ($30).

The South is expected to see the steepest regional spike, with electricity costs for heating projected to rise more than 21%.

Why Prices Keep Climbing

The National Energy Assistance Directors Association points to several factors driving the surge. Residential electricity costs are at their highest levels in a decade, with the average monthly electric bill climbing nearly 30% since 2021.

The association cites high interest rates driving grid financing costs, increased reliance on natural gas for power generation, surging demand from AI data centers, and aging infrastructure requiring expensive upgrades.

“Energy is not a luxury — it is a necessity. No family should lose power because they cannot afford rising utility bills.”

Millions Already Struggling

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The rising costs come at a particularly difficult time. About 21 million households are already behind on their energy bills, with total arrearages growing 31% since December 2023.

NEADA estimates approximately 4 million households could face power shutoffs in 2025 — nearly 500,000 more than last year. Low and moderate-income families now spend 6 to 10% of their income on energy, and the organization has urged Congress to boost funding for energy assistance programs.

When Will Days Start Getting Longer?

For those counting down to brighter days, the winter solstice falls on Saturday, December 21 at 10:03 a.m. EST, marking the shortest day of the year.

After the solstice, daylight hours will slowly begin to increase — just a few seconds each day at first, but marking the turning point toward longer evenings.

Tips to Lower Your Bill

Energy experts recommend lowering the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day, which can cut bills by 10%. Getting heating systems tuned up and sealing air leaks with caulk can also help, and many utility companies offer free home energy assessments.

With heating costs continuing to climb, will millions of Americans be forced to choose between warmth and other necessities this winter?

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