MA Facing Winter Heating Cost Crisis
Many MA households are struggling with rising energy costs. This is why the state senate and house are both working to pass affordability bills that could cut home energy costs over the next few years. But, global events are causing heating oil prices to jump. So even new laws may not be enough help in the near term. So, heating affordability help is crucial for many MA households this winter. Still, MA energy company customers facing high energy bills have some options.
Rising MA Heating Oil Costs
The average price for heating oil across MA jumped from $5.98 per gallon to $6.15 this past week. A typical home with oil heat typically has a 275-gallon tank. So the cost to fill that tank once has gone from $1644 to $1691.
To put this in perspective, that price is almost double last year’s fuel oil price of $3.52 per gallon, which would cost $968 to fill once! This will be a major problem for MA families, because about a fifth of MA homes heat with fuel oil.
This leads to the obvious question; why are prices so high?
Michael Ferrante, president of MEMA, an association that represents retail heating oil companies across MA, points to current military conflicts. Conflicts between the US and Iran as the Ukraine and Russia war, have disrupted the global oil supply chain. So, oil prices have risen drastically everywhere. Doubtlessly, higher diesel fuel prices also add onto the high cost of home heating oil deliveries.
MA House And Senate Bills
State lawmakers have made some head way to cut rising costs. The state senate passed Senate Bill 3143, which saved the MASS SAVE program from a $1 billion budget cut and provided consumer protections. And though this sounds great, lowering MA electric rates remains elusive. Governor Healey, for her part, also seeks for other options to drive down prices.
What Can You Do About High Heating Costs?
There are several easy ways to save money and still keep your home warm this winter. These include energy saving projects around your home as well as help from state programs:
- Home with heat pumps can apply to their utility for a lower winter electric rate.
- Lower income homes can also apply for HEAP to help cover natural gas heat costs
- The HEARTWAP program provides emergency heating system repair and replacement services.
- The state’s WAP program can also help you pay to insulate and air seal your home.
- Finally, MASS SAVE can help to air seal your home, replace your heating system with heat pumps, and other improvements
You can also cut costs further when you shop for the cheapest electricity rates in town at https://www.maenergyratings.com. You can also count on us for news and tips that could affect your bills.