Pictured here is Sandra Blum’s granddaughter, Kamaria, who was helping in the kitchen during the Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner, which had an excellent turnout, despite the snowy weather.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is pushing consumers to reach out now if they fear they are falling behind on home heating bills.

The commission said in a news release Monday that cold weather is driving higher energy usage as December electric and natural gas bills begin arriving in mailboxes. Higher winter energy usage driven by colder weather — combined with energy price changes that took effect in December — can result in significant month-to-month changes in utility bills, even for households that have not experienced affordability challenges in the past. Historically, January and February are the months when home energy bills tend to peak, due largely to increased heating demand.

The PUC is encouraging consumers who are concerned about their utility bills to call their utility company now to discuss available options. Utilities can help customers explore payment arrangements, budget billing, and assistance programs that may help manage winter energy costs before a bill becomes unmanageable.

“You’re not alone,” PUC officials said in Monday’s news release. “Many households across Pennsylvania are feeling the impact of colder weather and higher winter energy use — including families who may be encountering affordability concerns for the first time and may not know where to turn.”

Available resources may include Customer Assistance Programs offered by utilities for eligible households, budget billing that helps smooth seasonal highs and lows, payment arrangements to avoid service disruption and resources like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that provides help with winter heating costs for eligible households. LIHEAP grants can help pay for heating bills and may also provide crisis assistance in certain situations. Information about LIHEAP eligibility and application options is available through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and local assistance offices.

In December, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors noted energy costs throughout the Northeastern United States are increasing faster than the rate of inflation. The realtors cited a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association forecasting the Northeast to see a 2.8% increase in heating costs to an average of $1,162 compared to an average of $1,131 in 2024-25.

National Fuel rates are expected to increase starting Aug. 1, 2026, according to the company’s annual Purchased Gas Cost Filing required by the PUC. The filing includes a projection of the cost of gas supplies that the company expects to purchase and deliver to customers one year from Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. For the period, National Fuel is projecting an increase in overall gas supply charges totaling approximately $71.49 per year. If approved as filed, the monthly bill of a typical residential customer with an annual usage of 98,400 cubic feet of gas would increase from $87.18 to $93.13 per month, or by 6.83%, starting Aug. 1, 2026. The primary reason for this forecasted increase in gas supply charges is that costs associated with the purchase and transmission of natural gas are projected to be higher than current rates. The New York Mercantile Exchange forecasts that natural gas prices next winter will be higher than the average prices for the 12 months ending Nov. 30, 2025.

National Fuel is required by law to shop for the most reasonably priced gas and maintain an adequate supply for more than 214,000 Pennsylvania customers – including thousands in Warren County. As market prices fluctuate, National Fuel is required to pass those charges to customers without any markup or discount.