When Are Home Heating Prices Expected to Go Down?

With winter weather settling in, homeowners in Fort Lauderdale are facing the pain of home heating costs. Recent years have seen a remarkable increase in energy prices, leaving many looking for answers and relief. Uncover what affects home heating prices, the recent trends we’ve seen and tips to keep your utility bills in check.

Different Kinds of Home Heating Fuel

A number of fuels are used to keep homes warm and cozy in the United States:

• Natural gas heats 48% of American homes.
• Heating oil serves 5% of homes.
• Propane accounts for another 5%.

• Electricity warms 40% of U.S. homes. Fossil fuels are still the main source for making electricity despite the renewed focus on renewable energy sources like wind and solar. 

What Affects the Rates of Fossil Fuels?

Based on the above information, it’s clear that fossil fuels heat a vast majority of North American households. Supply and demand is the number one factor creating price fluctuations. An increase in supply—triggered by greater production and storage rates—generally lowers prices, while a spike in demand—triggered by extreme weather, a thriving economy and rising rates for alternative fuels—can cause prices to climb.

Exactly How Much Has the Cost of Natural Gas Risen?

Domestic natural gas production outpaced consumption starting in 2017, leading to an overall price decline throughout 2018. Unfortunately, demand has increased significantly recently across all sectors, causing natural gas prices to hit heights not seen in roughly a decade.

In 2022, the average wholesale cost of U.S. natural gas surged to its highest peak since 2008, hitting an average of $6.45 per million British thermal units (MMBtu). This surge represented a tremendous leap of greater than 53% from the previous year, marking it as one of the biggest annual increases ever recorded.

Several factors contributed to the erratic rise and lack of stability of natural gas prices last year. In early 2022, production hiccups caused by freeze-offs and a large draw from natural gas reserves nudged prices up. Robust liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Europe and other regions, paired with a surge in domestic demand due to cold weather, stretched the price range even further.

In the spring of 2022, prices soared past $9/MMBtu, only to tumble by 40% following the fire and subsequent shutdown at the Freeport LNG export terminal. This incident sharply cut U.S. LNG exports and redirected more natural gas to storage. Unfortunately, as the summer heat faded, prices climbed yet again, reaching a peak in late August.

Going into the fall, a boost in natural gas production and higher-than-average injections into storage saw prices retreat closer to the five-year average. Yet, as temperatures fell, the demand for heating caused prices to rise one more time.

When Will Fuel Rates Calm Down?

The variations in natural gas prices highlight the intricate interplay of factors influencing home heating prices. As we look forward to the rest of the 2023-24 heating season, the market’s past behavior offers insights into future price patterns and the potential for cost-saving opportunities.

As of late 2023, prices have decreased from their previous highs thanks to robust production and reasonably moderate temperatures. Although demand continues to be steady, forecasters are predicting prices around $3.44/MMBtu this winter, offering some respite for property owners as we move through the heating season.

Ways to Cut Your Heating Bill

No matter how you heat your home or what prices are like, you can take several helpful steps to boost energy efficiency and cut your heating costs. Here are a few strategies:

• Seal drafty windows and doors with caulk and weatherstripping.
• Use curtains to your advantage, opening them during the day for free light and heat and then drawing them closed at night to insulate your windows.
• Increase your attic insulation to keep heat from rising out of your home.
• Install a smart thermostat that learns your routines and adjusts the temperature accordingly to help reduce your energy usage.
• Dial down the temperature on your thermostat when you’re away so you aren’t heating an empty house.
• Don warmer clothes inside your residence so you don’t need to crank up the thermostat.
• Schedule yearly furnace maintenance to keep your heating system in peak condition.
• Use a whole-house humidifier. Moist air feels warmer than dry air, so you feel more comfy at a lower temperature.

Make Your Home Warm in Fort Lauderdale with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

Nothing is more important to the Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning team than your comfort and well-being. Our work can also help bring down home heating costs, which is excellent news for your pocketbook. With ACE-certified technicians at the helm, you can expect quality, durable remedies to all your comfort needs. Our company’s 100% satisfaction guarantee means that if you’re not completely happy with our services, you know we will make things right.

As a company that prides itself on innovation, customer engagement and community involvement, you can trust Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make a meaningful difference in your life and enjoyment in your home. For more details of what you can expect with heating prices in Fort Lauderdale or personalized solutions to help lower your utility bills, get a hold of the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Call 954-736-4314 today to learn more.