Home heating costs to rise 8.7% this winter, with heating oil up 31.3%

Nearly 5 million households heat with oil, 82% of them in the Northeast. Their average winter bill rises from $1,749 to $2,297. Crude is holding near $103 a barrel and diesel is at a record.

Projected increases by fuel:

• Natural gas: up 5.8%
• Electricity: up 9.0%; propane: up 8.7%
• Maine heating oil is already $5.77 a gallon, 74% above a year ago