Like everything else it seems these days, the cost to heat your home will rise this winter.

And if you heat with natural gas, the predominate way to stay warm in the Midwest, expect to pay a third more compared with last year.

Blame higher costs for fuel coupled with higher consumption from what is expected to be a chillier winter, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration, which defines the winter heating season as October through March.

Energy price shuffle:No inflation relief as winter utility bills to cancel gasoline savings

In the Midwest, where natural gas is used by two-thirds of homes, the cost of heating is expected to jump by nearly a third this winter to $1,013, up from $763 last year. This year's expected price is nearly double what consumers paid two years ago when the region was benefiting from low natural gas prices.

Heating with electricity, which is used by nearly a quarter of the homes in the Midwest, is expected to cost $1,437, a 7.9% increase from last winter.

Meanwhile, propane, used by 7.8% of homes in the Midwest, should cost $1,646 this winter, an increase of 4.8% over last year. The reason for the higher cost this winter is due primarily to higher consumption, since the cost of the fuel is about the same as last winter.

Heat with natural gas? Ukraine war, low supplies blamed for price hike

Columbia Gas of Ohio, which has 1.4 million customers across in 61 of the state's 88 counties, is telling customers to be ready for a volatile heating season. The gas-distribution company says gas prices may vary throughout winter. For now, it is forecasting that the typical residential customer will pay $58.97 in October, though the company did not say how that compares with last year.

"Keeping our customers safe, warm and connected is essential, and many options are available to help customers pay their bills," the company said. "We encourage customers to get in touch with us so we can identify their needs and connect them with programs that can help."

Experts pin higher natural gas prices on several factors ranging from low supplies of gas in storage to increased exports of U.S. natural gas to meet global demand, especially in Europe where supplies of gas from Russia have been reduced following its invasion of Ukraine.

Customers struggling to afford their gas bills this winter can get help from several income-based assistance programs they can access through their local Community Action Agency, including:

Home Energy Assistance Program

The federally funded program provides customers with a one-time payment sent directly to their account. Eligible customers must have a household income at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines.

WarmChoice

The WarmChoice program provides income-qualified Columbia Gas customers and renters a free home energy assessment. An expert will come to the customer's home to review the safety and efficacy of their natural gas appliances, as well as check and correct insulation, air sealing, and repair or replace natural gas appliances at no cost.

HeatShare

The Salvation Army-administered program offers customers help paying their gas bill. Households experiencing unexpected financial hardship, or those with a household income at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines, may be eligible. For eligible customers, the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus allows them to pay 6% of their monthly household income for gas service each month, with a minimum payment of $10.

AEP Neighbor to Neighbor Program

American Electric Power Ohio offers the Neighbor to Neighbor program that provides eligible customers with a utility assistance grant applied directly to their bill.

Grants are dispersed on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible applicants while funding is available.

Households may be eligible for up to $500 in grants if they meet the qualifications that include income below 300% of federal poverty level guidelines, being an AEP Ohio customer, having an outstanding balance of at least $50 and being at least 30 days behind in payment but having paid at least $75 on their AEP Ohio account in the three months prior to applying.

What rights Ohioans have to avoid utility shut-offs in winter

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has issued an order that helps consumers served by PUCO-regulated utilities reconnect or maintain electric and natural gas service through April 14. About 187,000 customers used that order last winter heating season.

The order gives Ohio customers facing disconnection due to nonpayment, or customers whose gas has been shut off, the option to pay potentially just $175 to get reconnected through the winter heating season. Customers who enroll in the program must also establish a payment plan for their outstanding fees.

Under the Special Reconnect Order, customers pay the utility no more than $175 plus any applicable reconnection charge that cannot exceed $36. If the utility’s reconnect charge is greater than $36, the balance above $36 may be charged to the customer on the customer’s next monthly bill.

For customers not eligible for energy assistance programs, Columbia Gas offers payment plans to get back on track.

Customers can call 800-344-4077 or reach out on social media to the company.

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

Prices heating up

The average total price for the past three winter heating seasons in the Midwest, with the estimated total for this winter:

HEATING BY NATURAL GAS

2019-20: $519

2020-21: $551 (+$32/+6.2%)

2021-22: $763 (+$212/+38.5%)

2022-23: $1,013 (+$250/+32.9%)

HEATING BY ELECTRICITY

2019-20: $1,247

2020-21: $1,285 (+$38/+3.0%)

2021-22: $1,332 (+$47/+3.7%)

2022-23: $1,437 (+$105/+7.9%)

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Winter heating costs to soar: Here's where Ohioans can get help