Washington, D.C., December 8, 2008 – The Alliance to Save Energy estimates that the average U.S. household will pay $2,300 this year on residential energy costs, with heating accounting for almost 45 percent of that total – a figure that varies from state to state. Entering the winter season, the Alliance has prepared fact sheets on 2008-09 heating costs for each of the states in the contiguous United States and for the nation as a whole. The fact sheets reflect current price fluctuations for specific home heating fuels and provide energy efficiency tips to help consumers cut heating and other home energy bills.

The fact sheets alert consumers on how much their home heating bills are likely to rise or fall compared with last winter’s bills, based on fuel costs in their own states. Depending on the heating fuel consumers use, some will face higher costs, while others may see a decrease in heating expenses.

According to national data from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA), homes heated with natural gas will pay about $30 more compared to last winter, while those heating with electricity will pay about $80 more.

Compared to last winter, EIA says, heating oil and propane costs nationwide are estimated to decrease by about $260 and $140, respectively, in large part because of recently declining oil prices. However, consumers using these fuels should note that their winter bills could be 17 percent (heating oil) and almost 15 percent (propane) higher than they were just two winters ago.

In Pennsylvania, for example, where about 55 percent of residents’ home energy bills are devoted to heating costs, costs for consumers heating with natural gas or electricity are projected to increase by about $90 and $125, respectively, compared to last winter’s. Consumers using heating oil are projected to see their costs decrease by about $245 compared to last winter, while those heating with propane could see costs decrease by about $150.

The Alliance’s tips for lowering home energy bills include plugging leaks, lowering the thermostat, and choosing models with the ENERGY STAR label – the government’s symbol of energy efficiency – when purchasing a new heating or cooling system, windows, and appliances.