Home › Heating costs › North Carolina EIA data through August 2026 · updated 2026-10-29 Heating costs in North Carolina
The cheapest way to heat a home in North Carolina at today's average prices is heat pump ($16.97 per million BTU of heat), then natural gas ($19.75). A heat pump costs 14.1% less to run than a gas furnace.
Heating oil $5.84/gal Oct 26, 2026 · +79.1% y/y
Propane $3.64/gal Oct 26, 2026 · +9.7% y/y
Natural gas $18.44/Mcf winter 2025–26 avg. · Jul 2026: $34.09
Electricity 14.9¢/kWh August 2026 · +2.5% y/y
Cheapest way to heat a home in North Carolina cost of the same amount of heat
Heat source Price used Per million BTU of heat Per winter
Heat pump cheapest 14.5¢/kWh ÷ COP 2.5
$16.97 $849 Natural gas $18.44/Mcf · winter 2025–26 avg.
$19.75 $988 Electric resistance 14.5¢/kWh · winter 2025–26 avg.
$42.43 $2,121 Propane $3.64/gal · Oct 26, 2026
$44.18 $2,209 Heating oil $5.84/gal · Oct 26, 2026
$49.62 $2,481
How we compare: fuel price ÷ (energy content × efficiency). Assumptions — heating oil 138,500 BTU/gal at 85%, propane 91,500 BTU/gal at 90%, natural gas 1,037,000 BTU per Mcf at 90%, electric resistance 100%, heat pump seasonal COP 2.5 (lower in very cold weather). Gas and electricity use last winter's average price; oil and propane the latest weekly survey. Delivery fees, tank rental and fixed charges vary and are not included.
Heating oil in North Carolina, winter by winter $3 $4 $5 $6 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Oct 2, 2023: $4.13 per gallon Oct 9, 2023: $4.08 per gallon Oct 16, 2023: $4.09 per gallon Oct 23, 2023: $4.09 per gallon Oct 30, 2023: $4.07 per gallon Nov 6, 2023: $4.05 per gallon Nov 13, 2023: $4.02 per gallon Nov 20, 2023: $3.97 per gallon Nov 27, 2023: $3.96 per gallon Dec 4, 2023: $3.90 per gallon Dec 11, 2023: $3.86 per gallon Dec 18, 2023: $3.81 per gallon Dec 25, 2023: $3.78 per gallon Jan 1, 2024: $3.77 per gallon Jan 8, 2024: $3.75 per gallon Jan 15, 2024: $3.72 per gallon Jan 22, 2024: $3.71 per gallon Jan 29, 2024: $3.73 per gallon Feb 5, 2024: $3.75 per gallon Feb 12, 2024: $3.78 per gallon Feb 19, 2024: $3.79 per gallon Feb 26, 2024: $3.80 per gallon Mar 4, 2024: $3.79 per gallon Mar 11, 2024: $3.77 per gallon Mar 18, 2024: $3.78 per gallon Mar 25, 2024: $3.77 per gallon Apr 8, 2024: $3.78 per gallon Oct 7, 2024: $3.26 per gallon Oct 14, 2024: $3.26 per gallon Oct 21, 2024: $3.24 per gallon Oct 28, 2024: $3.24 per gallon Nov 4, 2024: $3.24 per gallon Nov 11, 2024: $3.23 per gallon Nov 18, 2024: $3.23 per gallon Nov 25, 2024: $3.23 per gallon Dec 2, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 9, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 16, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 23, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 30, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Jan 6, 2025: $3.24 per gallon Jan 13, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Jan 20, 2025: $3.43 per gallon Jan 27, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Feb 3, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Feb 10, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Feb 17, 2025: $3.45 per gallon Feb 24, 2025: $3.45 per gallon Mar 3, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Mar 10, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Mar 17, 2025: $3.30 per gallon Mar 24, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Mar 31, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Apr 14, 2025: $3.27 per gallon Oct 6, 2025: $3.26 per gallon Oct 13, 2025: $3.27 per gallon Oct 20, 2025: $3.25 per gallon Oct 27, 2025: $3.26 per gallon Nov 3, 2025: $3.28 per gallon Nov 10, 2025: $3.38 per gallon Nov 17, 2025: $3.39 per gallon Nov 24, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Dec 1, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Dec 8, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Dec 15, 2025: $3.38 per gallon Dec 22, 2025: $3.34 per gallon Dec 29, 2025: $3.33 per gallon Jan 5, 2026: $3.30 per gallon Jan 12, 2026: $3.28 per gallon Jan 19, 2026: $3.27 per gallon Jan 26, 2026: $3.28 per gallon Feb 2, 2026: $3.32 per gallon Feb 9, 2026: $3.38 per gallon Feb 16, 2026: $3.37 per gallon Feb 23, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Mar 2, 2026: $3.52 per gallon Mar 9, 2026: $4.36 per gallon Mar 16, 2026: $4.61 per gallon Mar 23, 2026: $4.84 per gallon Mar 30, 2026: $5.00 per gallon Oct 5, 2026: $5.82 per gallon Oct 12, 2026: $5.85 per gallon Oct 19, 2026: $5.83 per gallon Oct 26, 2026: $5.84 per gallon $3 $4 $5 $6 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Oct 2, 2023: $4.13 per gallon Oct 9, 2023: $4.08 per gallon Oct 16, 2023: $4.09 per gallon Oct 23, 2023: $4.09 per gallon Oct 30, 2023: $4.07 per gallon Nov 6, 2023: $4.05 per gallon Nov 13, 2023: $4.02 per gallon Nov 20, 2023: $3.97 per gallon Nov 27, 2023: $3.96 per gallon Dec 4, 2023: $3.90 per gallon Dec 11, 2023: $3.86 per gallon Dec 18, 2023: $3.81 per gallon Dec 25, 2023: $3.78 per gallon Jan 1, 2024: $3.77 per gallon Jan 8, 2024: $3.75 per gallon Jan 15, 2024: $3.72 per gallon Jan 22, 2024: $3.71 per gallon Jan 29, 2024: $3.73 per gallon Feb 5, 2024: $3.75 per gallon Feb 12, 2024: $3.78 per gallon Feb 19, 2024: $3.79 per gallon Feb 26, 2024: $3.80 per gallon Mar 4, 2024: $3.79 per gallon Mar 11, 2024: $3.77 per gallon Mar 18, 2024: $3.78 per gallon Mar 25, 2024: $3.77 per gallon Apr 8, 2024: $3.78 per gallon Oct 7, 2024: $3.26 per gallon Oct 14, 2024: $3.26 per gallon Oct 21, 2024: $3.24 per gallon Oct 28, 2024: $3.24 per gallon Nov 4, 2024: $3.24 per gallon Nov 11, 2024: $3.23 per gallon Nov 18, 2024: $3.23 per gallon Nov 25, 2024: $3.23 per gallon Dec 2, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 9, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 16, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 23, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Dec 30, 2024: $3.22 per gallon Jan 6, 2025: $3.24 per gallon Jan 13, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Jan 20, 2025: $3.43 per gallon Jan 27, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Feb 3, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Feb 10, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Feb 17, 2025: $3.45 per gallon Feb 24, 2025: $3.45 per gallon Mar 3, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Mar 10, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Mar 17, 2025: $3.30 per gallon Mar 24, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Mar 31, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Apr 14, 2025: $3.27 per gallon Oct 6, 2025: $3.26 per gallon Oct 13, 2025: $3.27 per gallon Oct 20, 2025: $3.25 per gallon Oct 27, 2025: $3.26 per gallon Nov 3, 2025: $3.28 per gallon Nov 10, 2025: $3.38 per gallon Nov 17, 2025: $3.39 per gallon Nov 24, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Dec 1, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Dec 8, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Dec 15, 2025: $3.38 per gallon Dec 22, 2025: $3.34 per gallon Dec 29, 2025: $3.33 per gallon Jan 5, 2026: $3.30 per gallon Jan 12, 2026: $3.28 per gallon Jan 19, 2026: $3.27 per gallon Jan 26, 2026: $3.28 per gallon Feb 2, 2026: $3.32 per gallon Feb 9, 2026: $3.38 per gallon Feb 16, 2026: $3.37 per gallon Feb 23, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Mar 2, 2026: $3.52 per gallon Mar 9, 2026: $4.36 per gallon Mar 16, 2026: $4.61 per gallon Mar 23, 2026: $4.84 per gallon Mar 30, 2026: $5.00 per gallon Oct 5, 2026: $5.82 per gallon Oct 12, 2026: $5.85 per gallon Oct 19, 2026: $5.83 per gallon Oct 26, 2026: $5.84 per gallon Weekly survey, Oct–Mar · hover a point for the exact price U.S. average: $6.23/gal. Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (residential, weekly).
Propane in North Carolina, winter by winter $3.0 $3.5 $4.0 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Oct 2, 2023: $3.23 per gallon Oct 9, 2023: $3.23 per gallon Oct 16, 2023: $3.21 per gallon Oct 23, 2023: $3.19 per gallon Oct 30, 2023: $3.22 per gallon Nov 6, 2023: $3.22 per gallon Nov 13, 2023: $3.22 per gallon Nov 20, 2023: $3.23 per gallon Nov 27, 2023: $3.27 per gallon Dec 4, 2023: $3.25 per gallon Dec 11, 2023: $3.26 per gallon Dec 18, 2023: $3.27 per gallon Dec 25, 2023: $3.27 per gallon Jan 1, 2024: $3.29 per gallon Jan 8, 2024: $3.31 per gallon Jan 15, 2024: $3.32 per gallon Jan 22, 2024: $3.36 per gallon Jan 29, 2024: $3.38 per gallon Feb 5, 2024: $3.37 per gallon Feb 12, 2024: $3.40 per gallon Feb 19, 2024: $3.41 per gallon Feb 26, 2024: $3.38 per gallon Mar 4, 2024: $3.38 per gallon Mar 11, 2024: $3.37 per gallon Mar 18, 2024: $3.36 per gallon Mar 25, 2024: $3.34 per gallon Apr 8, 2024: $3.37 per gallon Oct 7, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Oct 14, 2024: $3.34 per gallon Oct 21, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Oct 28, 2024: $3.30 per gallon Nov 4, 2024: $3.34 per gallon Nov 11, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Nov 18, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Nov 25, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Dec 2, 2024: $3.32 per gallon Dec 9, 2024: $3.32 per gallon Dec 16, 2024: $3.31 per gallon Dec 23, 2024: $3.31 per gallon Dec 30, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Jan 6, 2025: $3.38 per gallon Jan 13, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Jan 20, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Jan 27, 2025: $3.49 per gallon Feb 3, 2025: $3.47 per gallon Feb 10, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Feb 17, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Feb 24, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Mar 3, 2025: $3.47 per gallon Mar 10, 2025: $3.47 per gallon Mar 17, 2025: $3.46 per gallon Mar 24, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Mar 31, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Apr 14, 2025: $3.39 per gallon Oct 6, 2025: $3.30 per gallon Oct 13, 2025: $3.31 per gallon Oct 20, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Oct 27, 2025: $3.32 per gallon Nov 3, 2025: $3.35 per gallon Nov 10, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Nov 17, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Nov 24, 2025: $3.32 per gallon Dec 1, 2025: $3.34 per gallon Dec 8, 2025: $3.36 per gallon Dec 15, 2025: $3.35 per gallon Dec 22, 2025: $3.36 per gallon Dec 29, 2025: $3.35 per gallon Jan 5, 2026: $3.32 per gallon Jan 12, 2026: $3.34 per gallon Jan 19, 2026: $3.34 per gallon Jan 26, 2026: $3.35 per gallon Feb 2, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Feb 9, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Feb 16, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Feb 23, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Mar 2, 2026: $3.41 per gallon Mar 9, 2026: $3.42 per gallon Mar 16, 2026: $3.43 per gallon Mar 23, 2026: $3.43 per gallon Mar 30, 2026: $3.45 per gallon Oct 5, 2026: $3.55 per gallon Oct 12, 2026: $3.56 per gallon Oct 19, 2026: $3.60 per gallon Oct 26, 2026: $3.64 per gallon $3.0 $3.5 $4.0 Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Oct 2, 2023: $3.23 per gallon Oct 9, 2023: $3.23 per gallon Oct 16, 2023: $3.21 per gallon Oct 23, 2023: $3.19 per gallon Oct 30, 2023: $3.22 per gallon Nov 6, 2023: $3.22 per gallon Nov 13, 2023: $3.22 per gallon Nov 20, 2023: $3.23 per gallon Nov 27, 2023: $3.27 per gallon Dec 4, 2023: $3.25 per gallon Dec 11, 2023: $3.26 per gallon Dec 18, 2023: $3.27 per gallon Dec 25, 2023: $3.27 per gallon Jan 1, 2024: $3.29 per gallon Jan 8, 2024: $3.31 per gallon Jan 15, 2024: $3.32 per gallon Jan 22, 2024: $3.36 per gallon Jan 29, 2024: $3.38 per gallon Feb 5, 2024: $3.37 per gallon Feb 12, 2024: $3.40 per gallon Feb 19, 2024: $3.41 per gallon Feb 26, 2024: $3.38 per gallon Mar 4, 2024: $3.38 per gallon Mar 11, 2024: $3.37 per gallon Mar 18, 2024: $3.36 per gallon Mar 25, 2024: $3.34 per gallon Apr 8, 2024: $3.37 per gallon Oct 7, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Oct 14, 2024: $3.34 per gallon Oct 21, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Oct 28, 2024: $3.30 per gallon Nov 4, 2024: $3.34 per gallon Nov 11, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Nov 18, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Nov 25, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Dec 2, 2024: $3.32 per gallon Dec 9, 2024: $3.32 per gallon Dec 16, 2024: $3.31 per gallon Dec 23, 2024: $3.31 per gallon Dec 30, 2024: $3.33 per gallon Jan 6, 2025: $3.38 per gallon Jan 13, 2025: $3.41 per gallon Jan 20, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Jan 27, 2025: $3.49 per gallon Feb 3, 2025: $3.47 per gallon Feb 10, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Feb 17, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Feb 24, 2025: $3.48 per gallon Mar 3, 2025: $3.47 per gallon Mar 10, 2025: $3.47 per gallon Mar 17, 2025: $3.46 per gallon Mar 24, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Mar 31, 2025: $3.44 per gallon Apr 14, 2025: $3.39 per gallon Oct 6, 2025: $3.30 per gallon Oct 13, 2025: $3.31 per gallon Oct 20, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Oct 27, 2025: $3.32 per gallon Nov 3, 2025: $3.35 per gallon Nov 10, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Nov 17, 2025: $3.29 per gallon Nov 24, 2025: $3.32 per gallon Dec 1, 2025: $3.34 per gallon Dec 8, 2025: $3.36 per gallon Dec 15, 2025: $3.35 per gallon Dec 22, 2025: $3.36 per gallon Dec 29, 2025: $3.35 per gallon Jan 5, 2026: $3.32 per gallon Jan 12, 2026: $3.34 per gallon Jan 19, 2026: $3.34 per gallon Jan 26, 2026: $3.35 per gallon Feb 2, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Feb 9, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Feb 16, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Feb 23, 2026: $3.40 per gallon Mar 2, 2026: $3.41 per gallon Mar 9, 2026: $3.42 per gallon Mar 16, 2026: $3.43 per gallon Mar 23, 2026: $3.43 per gallon Mar 30, 2026: $3.45 per gallon Oct 5, 2026: $3.55 per gallon Oct 12, 2026: $3.56 per gallon Oct 19, 2026: $3.60 per gallon Oct 26, 2026: $3.64 per gallon Weekly survey, Oct–Mar · hover a point for the exact price U.S. average: $2.73/gal. Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (residential, weekly).
Natural gas price in North Carolina $12 $17 $22 $27 $32 2024 2025 2026 June 2023: $24.66 per thousand cubic feet July 2023: $28.02 per thousand cubic feet August 2023: $25.71 per thousand cubic feet September 2023: $25.85 per thousand cubic feet October 2023: $22.00 per thousand cubic feet November 2023: $15.17 per thousand cubic feet December 2023: $14.35 per thousand cubic feet January 2024: $13.46 per thousand cubic feet February 2024: $14.84 per thousand cubic feet March 2024: $17.03 per thousand cubic feet April 2024: $17.67 per thousand cubic feet May 2024: $25.40 per thousand cubic feet June 2024: $25.69 per thousand cubic feet July 2024: $24.76 per thousand cubic feet August 2024: $24.55 per thousand cubic feet September 2024: $23.89 per thousand cubic feet October 2024: $21.05 per thousand cubic feet November 2024: $19.97 per thousand cubic feet December 2024: $14.17 per thousand cubic feet January 2025: $13.28 per thousand cubic feet February 2025: $16.51 per thousand cubic feet March 2025: $21.09 per thousand cubic feet May 2025: $34.03 per thousand cubic feet June 2025: $30.13 per thousand cubic feet July 2025: $31.48 per thousand cubic feet August 2025: $29.28 per thousand cubic feet September 2025: $26.95 per thousand cubic feet October 2025: $25.52 per thousand cubic feet November 2025: $20.48 per thousand cubic feet December 2025: $17.87 per thousand cubic feet January 2026: $17.89 per thousand cubic feet February 2026: $17.50 per thousand cubic feet April 2026: $29.89 per thousand cubic feet May 2026: $27.56 per thousand cubic feet June 2026: $30.10 per thousand cubic feet July 2026: $34.09 per thousand cubic feet $12 $17 $22 $27 $32 2024 2025 2026 June 2023: $24.66 per thousand cubic feet July 2023: $28.02 per thousand cubic feet August 2023: $25.71 per thousand cubic feet September 2023: $25.85 per thousand cubic feet October 2023: $22.00 per thousand cubic feet November 2023: $15.17 per thousand cubic feet December 2023: $14.35 per thousand cubic feet January 2024: $13.46 per thousand cubic feet February 2024: $14.84 per thousand cubic feet March 2024: $17.03 per thousand cubic feet April 2024: $17.67 per thousand cubic feet May 2024: $25.40 per thousand cubic feet June 2024: $25.69 per thousand cubic feet July 2024: $24.76 per thousand cubic feet August 2024: $24.55 per thousand cubic feet September 2024: $23.89 per thousand cubic feet October 2024: $21.05 per thousand cubic feet November 2024: $19.97 per thousand cubic feet December 2024: $14.17 per thousand cubic feet January 2025: $13.28 per thousand cubic feet February 2025: $16.51 per thousand cubic feet March 2025: $21.09 per thousand cubic feet May 2025: $34.03 per thousand cubic feet June 2025: $30.13 per thousand cubic feet July 2025: $31.48 per thousand cubic feet August 2025: $29.28 per thousand cubic feet September 2025: $26.95 per thousand cubic feet October 2025: $25.52 per thousand cubic feet November 2025: $20.48 per thousand cubic feet December 2025: $17.87 per thousand cubic feet January 2026: $17.89 per thousand cubic feet February 2026: $17.50 per thousand cubic feet April 2026: $29.89 per thousand cubic feet May 2026: $27.56 per thousand cubic feet June 2026: $30.10 per thousand cubic feet July 2026: $34.09 per thousand cubic feet Monthly · summer prices per Mcf run higher because fixed charges are spread over less gas Average price paid by homes, including delivery charges. Source: EIA Natural Gas Monthly.
Questions How much is heating oil in North Carolina? $5.84 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+79.1% vs. a year earlier).
How much is propane in North Carolina? $3.64 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+9.7% vs. a year earlier).
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas in North Carolina? Yes, at average prices: a heat pump (seasonal COP 2.5) delivers heat for $16.97 per million BTU, 14.1% less than a 90% gas furnace at $19.75.
What is the cheapest way to heat a home in North Carolina? At current average prices: heat pump $16.97, natural gas $19.75, electric resistance $42.43, propane $44.18, heating oil $49.62 per million BTU of delivered heat (cheapest first).