For many people in the U.S., this winter is getting colder \u2014 and staying warm is getting more expensive. <\/p>\n
Nationwide, the December average temperature is expected to be 8% colder than the average temperatures of the last 10 Decembers, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. <\/p>\n
A colder winter means more power will be required to maintain most homes at safe temperatures. For consumers, that means steeper monthly energy bills. <\/p>\n
A new report this week estimates that U.S. households could spend an average of $995 on home heating alone from mid-November to March, which is $84 more than they spent last winter. <\/p>\n
The report is from<\/a> the National Energy Assistance Directors\u2019 Association (NEADA), a policy organization that represents state governments seeking federal funds for low-income home energy programs. It predicts that heating costs will rise by an average of 9.2% over the next three months. <\/p>\n But it’s not just the cold that is driving up prices for consumers. The group notes that residential electricity costs are at their highest levels in a decade. This year alone, the average monthly electric bill has already jumped 10%, according to the report issued Tuesday.<\/p>\n