Texas Heating Bills to Average $106.21 as El Niño Brings Cooler Weather

HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES, October 20, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Texas residents are bracing for higher winter heating bills as forecasters predict a strong El Niño will bring cooler, wetter weather to the state. According to a new study by TexasElectricityRatings.com, the average monthly heating bill for Texans is $106.21, marking a 10% increase since 2024. This rise is expected to be driven by the forecasted El Niño, which typically brings colder temperatures to Texas, particularly in January and February.

While Texas ranks 15th for the lowest winter heating costs among all states, the typical five-month heating season will cost Texans about $530. The study breaks down the heating costs by fuel type, revealing that electricity heats 51% of homes, natural gas heats 42%, and propane heats 2%. The cheapest heating option is electricity, with an average monthly cost of $70.70, while natural gas is the most expensive, at $161.21.

The rise in heating costs is not unique to Texas. Nationally, heating costs have climbed since 2024. Electricity costs have risen 9.93%, natural gas costs have increased 33.70%, propane costs have climbed 9.42%, and fuel oil prices have surged 44.44%. Despite these increases, Texas ranks 11th for the least increase in costs, with the average monthly heating cost rising 10.15%, from $96.42 to $106.21. Natural gas was the primary driver of this increase, climbing 15.49% from $139.59 to $161.21. In contrast, electricity heating costs rose by only 1.73%.

The study, conducted by TexasElectricityRatings.com, which operates an energy management platform and a network of energy shopping websites across 11 states and 56 utilities, provides valuable insights for Texas residents. The company offers advisory, comparison, and ratings services to over 58 million residential and commercial customers. By analyzing usage data and heating costs for every state, the analysts were able to offer more realistic average monthly heating costs.

High gas storage and strong production have kept prices lower in recent months. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects homes in the Midwest, South, and Northeast that heat with natural gas or propane to spend 10 to 15% less than last winter. Homes on the West Coast may spend 7% more. When combined with lower heating consumption in northern states this winter, springtime could see a blossoming of cheaper electricity rates in Texas and other states. However, it may be only for a brief time before hotter conditions fire up the air conditioning season in southern states.

TexasElectricityRatings.com advises consumers to plan ahead this spring to watch for falling electric rates and choose power providers with the best deals. The company's platform helps consumers choose the best providers through its consumer reviews and personalized recommendations.