Heating costs expected to rise in New Hampshire this winter
Experts say increases range from 28-60%
Experts say increases range from 28-60%
Experts say increases range from 28-60%
The cost of heating homes is up, expected to rise as much as 60% this year, and experts say that means New Hampshire families will need to plan ahead.
About half of Granite Stater's heat with natural gas, followed by heating oil, electricity and propane. No matter the source, prices are expected to rise.
"New Hampshire consumers can expect pretty significant increases in their heating bills this winter," said Joshua Elliot, of the state Department of Energy.
"It's really tough for our customers," said Tom Manson, CEO of Eastern Propane. "It's a complete sticker shock."
Eastern Propane supplies heating oil and propane to 70,000 Granite Staters.
"I do think you're probably going to see probably 60% higher in at least heating oil and at least propane," Manson said.
In filings from gas and electric suppliers that must provide rates to the state Public Utilities Commission, Unitil said its natural gas customers will see a 28% increase and its electric customers a 60% monthly increase on Dec. 1.
Liberty Gas, which supplies the state's largest cities, said customers will pay an extra $469 this winter, a 55% increase. Liberty Electric and Eversource haven't filed yet.
When the economy shut down in 2020, production slowed and hasn't caught up, officials said.
"The 2020 winter was colder than expected, which meant reserves dipped a little bit lower than typically and a combination of additional factors meant there wasn't enough time or capacity to refill a lot of reserves across the globe," Elliot said.
"It's a little scary for people," Manson said. "I know it is for our customers."
Experts said the good news is supply isn't a problem, but consumers are advised to plan ahead and hope for a mild winter.