Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights residents heating with natural gas could see some relief on fuel costs this winter, but rising electric rates and distribution charges may still push monthly bills higher.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) 2026-27 Winter Fuels Outlook projects Midwest households heating with 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 picture is different 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

These national and regional averages do not predict individual customers’ bills, which depend on usage, supplier contracts and local utility charges.

AEP Ohio, which delivers electricity throughout Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights, is in the middle of a rate settlement approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on April 1. The Columbus Dispatch reported that PUCO approved an $11 million base distribution rate increase, far less than AEP Ohio's original $97 million request. For the first 18 months, residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will pay $1.22 less, thanks to tax refunds owed under federal law changes. But if AEP Ohio collects the maximum allowed under the settlement's tax rider caps, the average residential customer could see a monthly increase of more than $10 by 2028, according to PUCO's report.

A separate PUCO decision approved a transmission rate increase that added $7.90 per month for AEP Ohio residential customers using 1,000 kWh, the Dispatch reported.

Maureen Willis, agency director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, said in a statement to the Dispatch that consumers will see higher bills. She said the PUCO "must never lose sight of the fact that every approved dollar comes directly from consumers' pockets."

On the gas side, Columbia Gas serves about 1.5 million customers in central Ohio. A Signal Ohio analysis published in February found that Columbia Gas's standard gas rate rose from 66 cents per unit to $1.07 per unit, an estimated $41 increase per billing cycle. For a customer using 5 MCFs of gas per month, that meant a bill climbing from $85 in early 2020 to $118 in February 2026, according to the Ohio Utility Rate Survey.

JP Blackwood, a spokesman for the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, told Signal Ohio that rising commodity prices are the biggest driver. "Of course, the PUCO-approved rate increases just make a bad situation worse," he said.

Aggregation rates rising too

Both Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights run electric aggregation programs that buy power in bulk for residents through AEP Ohio's delivery system.

Upper Arlington's program, run through the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), set new rates with June 2026 meter reads. The SOPEC "green" rate rose to 11.162 cents per kWh, up from 9.756 cents, according to the city's electric aggregation page. An opt-down "brown" rate is 10.927 cents per kWh. The city said rising capacity costs across the PJM regional grid are a key driver.

Grandview Heights signed an 18-month agreement with Dynegy at 10.79 cents per kWh, running from the June 2026 meter read through December 2027, according to the city's aggregation page. Participation is voluntary, and customers may opt out without penalty.

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. Benefits range from $31 to $546, according to the state plan. 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.

Utility-specific programs for local customers

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel lists several utility-funded programs relevant to Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights residents.

AEP Ohio customers can apply for the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, which provides up to $500 for households at or below 300% of federal poverty guidelines. The program runs Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

Columbia Gas customers may qualify for the HeatShare program, which provides up to $450 once per year for households at or below 300% of poverty guidelines experiencing financial hardship. Customers can apply at sahelp.me or call the Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769.

The Dollar Energy Fund's Ohio Utility Assistance Program also serves Columbia Gas and AEP Ohio customers. It provides up to $300 per utility for households with income between 175% and 250% of poverty guidelines. 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.