Leaves are turning red and gold as the seasons change, but projected lower heating fuel costs mean that homeowners can look forward to a little more green as autumn freezes into winter.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration this week released the figures, which anticipate an average 8 percent drop in heating costs over last winter. EIA projects average household heating costs at $960 from Oct. 1 to March 31, a decrease of $84 over last winter.
The biggest drop is projected in natural gas and propane, estimated at 12 and 14 percent, relatively. Electricity and heating oil prices are expected to decrease by about 2 percent.
The reduction is attributed to a generally milder winter and lower fuel prices. But, EIA cautions, "fuel expenditures for individual households ar