As autumn temperatures settle in across New England, consumers are bracing for an increase in home heating costs. Estimates published by the federal government this week show an expected spike in the prices for nearly all home heating methods. The report estimates heating oil costs to rise as much as 43% nationwide. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than half of all Maine households use oil as their primary heat source. The state of Maine reported the average cost of heating oil last week was $2.89 per gallon, higher than any point since March of 2019. "I think for the foreseeable future, you're probably going to see it at a higher price," said Charlie Summers, president of the Maine Energy Marketers Association. Summer pointed to a slowdown in domestic oil production and rising demand for crude oil as the global economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic as key drivers behind the price increases. "Whether you're talking the demands in the United States or the demands in China or Russia, those all figure into this and it's felt on the retail level here," he said. Help is available for those who are concerned they will not be able to afford their heating bills. Maine's 24-hour 211 hotline is able to connect households to local organizations that offer heating assistance programs. 211 is partnered with the United Ways of Maine for the Keep ME Warm program, which raised money for emergency heating assistance programs. MaineHousing, which coordinates the federal Home Energy Assistance Program, is now accepting applications for heating assistance services this winter. MaineHousing's director Daniel Brennan said the organization has recently sent out about $50 million in federal grant money to heating service providers. The money is funding pre-paid accounts for the roughly 30,000 people in Maine who received heating aid last summer to fill their tanks before colder temperatures set it.