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Gov’t to Consumers: Break on Winter Heating Costs

People using natural gas this winter stand to save $105, compared with last year, and propane users will get even bigger savings, the government said. Households that use heating oil or electric heat also are expected to spend less during the heating season.

The Energy Information Administration said in its annual winter outlook Tuesday that lower fuel costs across the board and an expected milder winter will cut average heating costs for the upcoming season by 8 percent compared to last year – to about $960.

Households are expected to pay an average of $783, nearly 12 percent less than last winter, for natural gas, and $1,821 for heating oil, about 2 percent lower. People using electric heat will pay $933, a decline of 2 percent and those using propane $1,667, or 14 percent less than last winter, the agency stated to the Associated Press.