Homeowners can expect 21 percent increase in heating costs this winter

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Plan to spend more than $200 more than you did last winter to heat your home.

That’s the latest word from the U.S. Energy Department.

It’s putting out its fall forecast earlier than normal, presumably to give you more time to plan.

The average Midwest homeowner can expect to pay more than $1,200 for heat this fall and winter, up 21 percent from last year.

But Wisconsin Focus on Energy can give you rebates of up to $700 by getting a home energy audit from them and installing things like better insulation and energy-efficient water heaters.

Energy consultant Tim Guillama says more folks are doing that this summer.

Also, wholesale fuel costs keep going down. Those who buy natural gas on the spot market are paying 25 percent less than a month ago.

Brian Manthey of We Energies says the fluctuations make it tough to predict what you’ll actually pay this winter but he agrees you should be ready to shell out more.

Tags: wisconsin news, heating, cost, prediction