Dublin-area households heating with natural gas could see some relief on fuel costs this winter, but a string of electric rate increases from AEP Ohio and a pending Columbia Gas proposal may push monthly bills in the opposite direction.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) 2026-27 Winter Fuels Outlook projects Midwest homes heated by natural gas will spend about 10% less this season than last, thanks to lower fuel prices and temperatures similar to last year. Nationally, natural gas heated homes can expect to pay an average of $640 over the five-month heating season, down 9%.

The outlook is less favorable for electric heat. The EIA forecasts a 4% increase in winter electricity bills nationally, driven by a 3% rise in residential electricity prices. Midwest electric-heated homes face a projected seasonal cost of $1,380, up 3%.

"Relatively high natural gas inventories entering the winter season provide a cushion for heating demand, while households that rely on heating oil face higher prices because distillate markets remain tight," EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey said, as reported by Quartz.

Local rates keep climbing

Those federal projections do not account for utility-specific rate changes already hitting central Ohio customers.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved a transmission-rider increase for AEP Ohio in March that adds roughly $7.90 per month to a typical residential bill for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours, the Columbus Dispatch reported. On April 1, PUCO also approved a distribution rate settlement. AEP Ohio had requested about $97 million in additional delivery revenue; the settlement granted roughly $11 million. A temporary tax refund trims the delivery charge by about $1.22 per month for 18 months, but PUCO's own estimate projects the increase climbing toward about $10.28 per month by 2028, according to the Dispatch.

On top of that, AEP Ohio's Standard Service Offer rate rose to 10.167 cents per kilowatt-hour on June 1, up from 9.94 cents, according to National Law Review. That rate lasts through May 31, 2027.

On the gas side, Columbia Gas of Ohio filed a preliminary base rate increase proposal with PUCO on Sept. 18, the Dispatch reported. If approved, the base rate would jump $14.79 to $68.05 per month in 2028, with additional increases in 2029 and 2030. Columbia Gas serves nearly 1.5 million customers across 61 of Ohio's 88 counties. A PUCO decision is not expected until summer 2027, according to a PUCO spokesperson quoted by the Dispatch.

Maureen Willis, director of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, encouraged Columbia Gas customers to participate in public hearings and make their concerns known to PUCO, the Dispatch reported.

How to apply for energy assistance

Ohio runs the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) under the name Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Applications for the 2026-2027 season are open through May 31, 2027, according to BenefitsUSA and the Ohio LIHEAP state plan. Key details:

  • Income limit: Household income at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines. That is $27,930 per year for one person, $37,870 for two, $47,810 for three and $57,750 for four.
  • Regular HEAP: A one-time credit applied to your heating bill. The state plan lists benefits ranging from $31 to $546. Open July 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027.
  • Winter Crisis Program: Emergency help for households facing disconnection or with less than 25% of a tank of bulk fuel. Open Nov. 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. Requires an appointment with your county's Energy Assistance Provider.
  • PIPP Plus: Customers of PUCO-regulated utilities who qualify can cap their bill at 5% of monthly household income per utility, with a $10 minimum. Applications accepted year-round.
  • How to apply: Online at energyhelp.ohio.gov, by mail to the Office of Community Assistance in Columbus, or in person at your local Energy Assistance Provider.

Ohio has no asset test for HEAP. Savings, retirement accounts and homeownership do not disqualify applicants, according to BenefitsUSA.

Dublin residents in Franklin County can schedule Winter Crisis appointments through IMPACT Community Action at 614-252-2799. Residents in Delaware County can contact Bridges Community Action Partnership.

Additional utility programs

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel lists the Dollar Energy Fund's Ohio Utility Assistance Program, which covers Columbia Gas and AEP Ohio (Ohio Power Company) customers. It provides up to $300 per utility for households with income between 175% and 250% of federal poverty guidelines who face disconnection. The program runs Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027, or until funds run out.

County crisis funding is limited. BenefitsUSA noted that when Winter Crisis money for a county runs low, agencies stop scheduling appointments. Applying in November rather than waiting until February can make the difference between receiving help and landing on a waitlist.