Maine heating costs remain flat in November

The average costs of heating fuels have stayed steady since October, Maine sellers report.

Price surveys of companies selling firewood, heating oil, kerosene and propane are published by the state Governor’s Energy Office every other week during the heating season. So far, averages are almost the same as last month, the lowest November cost since 2021.

That’s a change from the previous two Novembers, when prices spiked around this time, causing anxiety and uncertainty for some homeowners. Prices sometimes rose later in the winter before 2021, so there’s still a chance they will climb again.

The average price for heating oil across the state is $3.37 as of Tuesday, two cents less than last month. It’s a few cents less in central, northern and Down East Maine, and a few more in the southern part of the state.

Seasoned firewood remains around an average of $350 per cord, including delivery charges. An average house could use five or six cords per winter.

Kerosene averages $4.23 a unit and propane $3.27, within 10 cents of last month’s prices; costs are also higher in the southern part of the state and lower elsewhere for these fuels.

Among traditional heat sources, firewood is the most efficient, the governor’s office has said. At $350 per cord, firewood costs $15.91 per million Btu, the cheapest option except for the lowest end of natural gas costs.

Next most efficient are wood pellets, at $22.12 per million Btu, followed by heating oil at $24.30, kerosene at $31.33 and propane at $35.80. Electric heat pumps range from $24.03 to $28.99 depending on the unit’s efficiency, according to the office.

For people struggling to afford firewood, some regions are setting up “wood banks,” which offer free wood, like a food pantry for heating supplies. Volunteers hope to have more of them set up across the state in future years.

There’s also still time to apply for state heating aid if you haven’t yet. Local nonprofits or your town office may have aid programs for weatherizing your home or helping with fuel costs, too.