How Much Does It Cost to Heat a House in Winter? (2026/27 Prices)

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If you've ever opened a January heating bill and winced, you're not alone. Heating is the biggest energy expense for most American homes.

So how much should you expect to pay this winter? It depends mostly on one thing: the fuel your home uses to heat.

Here's the quick answer, then we'll break it down by fuel and by region, and show you how to bring your bill down.

Quick answer: average winter heating cost (2026/27)

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)'s October 2026 forecast, here's what the average household is expected to spend on its main heating fuel for the winter (November through March):

Main heating fuel	Average winter cost	About per month	Change vs. last winter
Natural gas	$640	~$128	⬇️ 9% cheaper
Electricity	$1,196	~$239	⬆️ 4% more
Propane	$1,246	~$249	⬇️ 3% cheaper
Heating oil	$2,115	~$423	⬆️ 21% more

Monthly figures are the winter total divided by 5 months. Real bills are higher in December to February and lower in November and March.

The big picture:

Natural gas homes have the cheapest winter, and it's getting cheaper this year.
Heating oil homes (mostly in the Northeast) face the biggest jump, with prices forecast around $5.26 a gallon, up about a third from last winter.
Electric homes will pay a little more, as electricity prices keep rising.

Not sure what heats your home? Check your utility bills. A gas bill usually means a gas furnace or boiler. If you only get an electric bill, you likely have a heat pump or electric furnace or baseboard heat. A tank in the yard means propane; a tank in the basement usually means heating oil.

Heating cost by region

Where you live makes a big difference. Colder regions use more fuel, and fuel prices vary from place to place.

Average winter cost by region (Nov to Mar 2026/27):

Region	Natural gas	Electricity	Propane
Northeast	$879	$1,637	$1,687
Midwest	$613	$1,380	$1,305
South	$511	$1,079	$1,164
West	$590	$1,151	N/A
U.S. average	$640	$1,196	$1,246

Source: EIA Winter Fuels Outlook, October 2026. EIA does not publish regional heating oil figures; most oil-heated homes are in the Northeast. Propane is not reported for the West.

What stands out this year:

The Northeast is expected to be a bit warmer than last winter, so gas and propane bills there should drop noticeably.
The West is expected to be much colder, so homes there may use more fuel and pay more, even though prices are lower.
Electricity is most expensive in the Northeast: about 26¢ per kWh, compared with about 16¢ in the South.

Fuel prices this winter

If you want to compare against your own bills, here are EIA's average forecast prices for the 2026/27 winter:

Fuel	Average U.S. price	What a typical home uses (Nov to Mar)
Natural gas	$13.44 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf)	~48 Mcf
Electricity	18.23¢ per kWh	~6,560 kWh
Propane	$2.52 per gallon	~494 gallons
Heating oil	$5.26 per gallon	~402 gallons

What affects your heating bill?

Two homes on the same street can have very different bills. Here's why:

1. Home size A bigger home has more air to heat. A 3,000 sq ft home can easily cost twice as much to heat as a 1,500 sq ft home.

2. Your climate A winter in Minnesota needs far more heating than a winter in Georgia. Energy experts measure this with "heating degree days," which basically means how cold it gets and for how long.

3. Insulation and air leaks This is the big one homeowners can control. Poor attic insulation and drafty windows and doors let heat escape, so your system runs longer. ENERGY STAR estimates sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save an average of about 15% on heating and cooling costs.

4. How efficient your system is

Furnaces are rated by AFUE. A 95% AFUE furnace turns 95% of its fuel into heat. An old 70% furnace wastes almost a third.
Heat pumps move heat rather than create it, so they use much less electricity than baseboard heaters or electric furnaces.

5. Your thermostat setting Every degree counts. The U.S. Department of Energy says turning your thermostat back 7 to 10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.

6. How old your home is Older homes often have less insulation, single-pane windows and more air leaks.

Which heating type is cheapest?

For most U.S. homes, natural gas is the cheapest way to heat: this winter's average is about half the cost of electric or propane heat.

But it's not that simple:

Heating type	Running cost	Notes
Natural gas furnace	Low	Cheapest for most homes, but requires a gas line
Heat pump (electric)	Low to medium	Very efficient, especially in mild and moderate climates; modern cold-climate models work well in cold regions too
Electric furnace / baseboard	High	Simple and cheap to install, but expensive to run
Propane furnace	Medium to high	Common in rural areas without gas lines
Heating oil boiler/furnace	Highest this winter	Mostly older Northeast homes; prices are volatile

If you heat with electric baseboard or an electric furnace, a heat pump can often cut your heating electricity use significantly. Federal and local rebates may help with the upfront cost. Check with your utility.

What does a space heater cost to run?

Many people use space heaters to warm one room. Here's the math for a standard 1,500-watt space heater at this winter's average electricity price (18.23¢/kWh):

Use	Cost
1 hour	~$0.27
8 hours a day	~$2.19 per day
8 hours a day for a month	~$66 per month

When it saves money: heating one room while you turn the whole-house thermostat down. When it costs more: running space heaters in several rooms while the furnace runs too.

Your cost depends on your local electricity rate. In the Northeast, at about 26¢/kWh, the same heater costs about $0.39 an hour.

12 ways to lower your heating bill this winter

Free or almost free:

Lower the thermostat a few degrees, and more at night or when you're out.
Open curtains on sunny days, close them at night.
Reverse ceiling fans to spin clockwise on low to push warm air down.
Keep vents clear of furniture and rugs.
Close the fireplace damper when you're not using it.
Dress warmer indoors: a sweater and socks let you drop the thermostat 2 to 3 degrees comfortably.

Small purchases, big savings: 7. Seal drafts around windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping.

Add window insulation film to old or drafty windows.
Change your furnace filter every 1 to 3 months.
Install a smart or programmable thermostat so the heat drops automatically while you sleep or work.

Bigger upgrades (pay off over years): 11. Add attic insulation if you can see the tops of your ceiling joists. 12. Upgrade to a high-efficiency furnace or heat pump when your old system needs replacing.

👉 See our full guide: 12 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter

Can I get help paying my heating bill?

Yes. If you're struggling with heating costs:

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is a federal program that helps eligible households pay heating bills. Apply through your state or local agency.
Your utility company may offer budget billing (the same payment every month), payment plans or hardship programs. Call and ask.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can help eligible households with free insulation and air sealing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to heat a house per month in winter? On average, about $128 a month for natural gas, $239 for electricity, $249 for propane and $423 for heating oil during the 2026/27 winter (November to March averages). The coldest months, December to February, usually cost more.

Is it cheaper to heat with gas or electric? For most homes, natural gas is cheaper than electric resistance heat (baseboard or electric furnace). A modern heat pump can close much of that gap, and in mild climates it can be competitive with gas.

Why is my heating bill so high? The most common causes are air leaks, poor insulation, an old or poorly maintained furnace, a dirty filter, a high thermostat setting, or a colder-than-normal winter. Utility rate increases can also play a part.

What temperature should I set my thermostat to in winter? The Department of Energy suggests 68°F while you're awake and at home, and lower while you're asleep or away. Keep it at 55°F or higher to protect pipes from freezing.

Does turning the heat off when I leave save money? Turning the heat down saves money. Turning it completely off in very cold weather risks frozen pipes. A setting of 55 to 62°F while you're away is a safe middle ground.

Is it cheaper to keep the heat at one temperature all day? No. Lowering the temperature while you're away or asleep uses less energy overall, even though the system works a bit harder to warm the home back up.

The bottom line

This winter, the average American home will spend about $640 to heat with natural gas, $1,196 with electricity, $1,246 with propane and $2,115 with heating oil. Gas and propane homes should see a small break, while electric and especially oil homes will pay more.

Whatever fuel you use, the cheapest heat is the heat you don't waste. Seal the drafts, change the filter, turn the thermostat down a few degrees, and you'll keep more money in your pocket all winter.

Getting your home ready? Don't miss our Complete Winterize Your Home Checklist.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Winter Fuels Outlook, October 2026. Figures are base-case forecasts for November to March and reflect each household's main heating fuel. Your actual costs will depend on your home, location and weather.