Maine Department of Energy Resources Survey Shows Heating Fuel Prices Hit Record High

Augusta, MAINE – The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today released the latest weekly survey of Maine heating fuel prices, which shows the average statewide price of heating oil hit a record high of $6.02 per gallon on September 21, an 81 percent increase from this time last year. The previous record for heating oil in Maine was $5.92 per gallon in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“These are historic heating oil prices, and Maine families are feeling the impact as we head into winter,” said Celina Cunningham, Acting Commissioner of DOER. “With global oil markets remaining volatile, now is the time to be proactive and plan ahead. I urge Maine people to contact their fuel provider, get on contractors’ schedules, and explore available heating assistance and energy efficiency programs. Planning and taking action now can help you manage costs and be prepared for the colder weather ahead."

Based on a standard 275-gallon oil tank, residents are now estimated to pay approximately $740 more to fill their tank to capacity than they would have one year ago, prior to the start of the Iran conflict.  

Maine consumes more residential heating oil per capita than any other U.S. state and consumes significantly more per capita than other New England states. Approximately 50 percent of all Maine households rely on fuel oil as their primary heat source, although that figure has declined steadily from 70 percent in 2010.

Financial assistance for home heating is available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), administered by MaineHousing. In addition to HEAP, the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP), designed to assist low-income households who are experiencing an immediate energy-related crisis, will open on November 1. This program may provide a one-time payment to a fuel vendor to help HEAP-eligible households that are facing a heating emergency.  

MaineHousing is urging residents to apply for HEAP as soon as possible and to begin the process before they are out of fuel or are experiencing a heating crisis. Priority households include those with members over the age of 60, with children under the age of 6 or with household members who are living with a disability. 

At current prices, switching from oil or kerosene to energy efficient heat pumps can save Maine households thousands of dollars annually in heating costs. Maine residents are encouraged to explore the wide range of cost-saving home efficiency incentives available through Efficiency Maine, including a $500 bonus available for a limited time in addition to existing rebates for those that use heat pumps as their primary heating system. 

For low- and moderate-income people living in single-wide mobile homes, many of which are reliant on kerosene for heating, incentives for new ducted heat pump systems are available through Efficiency Maine’s Mobile Home Initiative. The statewide average price of kerosene jumped to $6.88 per gallon on September 21. 

Efficiency Maine is also offering $1,150 instant discounts for heat pump water heaters, which use less than half the electricity as a standard electric resistance water heater and can reduce electric bills by as much as $650 annually. 

For households that heat with wood, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry hosts an online directory of Maine wood banks. Wood banks provide free access to firewood to those who need assistance heating their home with wood. 

The Department of Energy Resources will be hosting an informational public webinar on winter heating resources for Maine people on Friday, October 2 from 11am-12pm, along with representatives from Efficiency Maine Trust and MaineHousing. Visit this page to register for the webinar. 

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