Is Connecticut’s Heating Crisis Unavoidable? Here’s What You Need to Know About Winter Bills

Winter is here, and so are the sky-high heating bills. If you live in Connecticut, you're in for some serious sticker shock when it comes to natural gas prices. According to the latest study by This Old House, heating your home in the Nutmeg State this winter is going to cost a lot more than you might think.

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The research team at This Old House analyzed natural gas data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and found that colder regions like the Northeast and Midwest have the highest heating bills. Why? A combination of colder temperatures and higher natural gas prices are driving costs up. While natural gas prices are expected to drop a bit this winter, higher consumption is still going to leave you paying more.

So, just how bad is it in Connecticut? Let's take a look at the numbers:

Top 10 Most Expensive States for Heating This Winter:

1. Alaska – $1,066

2. Rhode Island – $1,037

3. Massachusetts – $1,004

4. Maine – $994

5. New York – $963

6. Connecticut – $910

7. New Hampshire – $804

8. Vermont – $794

9. District of Columbia – $773

10. Georgia – $735

As you can see, Connecticut isn't too far behind the big spender, Alaska, where the average gas bill is projected to hit $1,066 this winter. And while some warmer states like Florida are keeping their bills low, Connecticut households can expect to pay around $910 this winter. That's over $300 more than the national average of $602!

Key Findings for Connecticut:

• Expected Heating Costs: Households in Connecticut are looking at an average of $910 to heat their homes this winter. That's a far cry from the national average of $602.
• Natural Gas Prices: Natural gas in Connecticut costs about $15.28 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), which is about 50 cents higher than last year. The national average is expected to drop to $12.47 per Mcf, but that won’t do much to offset the higher consumption.
• Consumption: From November through March, the average Connecticut home will consume around 60 Mcf of natural gas.

Look, $910 for the season is staggering and depressing but I'm pretty sure that is lower than reality. I don't know about you but we're going to be at that number by the second week of January.

National Trends:

• While natural gas prices are projected to drop slightly, higher consumption due to colder weather could mean higher heating bills across the board.
• The Northeast is hit hardest, with costs skyrocketing in states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.
• Meanwhile, the South, with its milder winters and lower natural gas consumption, will enjoy significantly lower bills.

So, if you're living in Connecticut this winter, it's time to start selling blood and other fluids to make it through the harsh winter. Thoughts and prayers all the way around.

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