Higher Electric Bills, Just $9 in Gas Savings: National Grid’s Winter Outlook Offers Little Relief

CNYonline.com | Local News October 20, 2026

UPSTATE NEW YORK — National Grid’s winter forecast delivers a pointed message for household budgets: electricity will cost more, while projected natural gas savings amount to less than $2 a month.

For the November 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027 heating season, typical residential electric customers are expected to pay 3% to 5% more, adding $22 to $39 over five months, depending on their region.

Meanwhile, a typical residential natural gas customer using 713 therms is projected to save approximately $9 for the entire winter. For households receiving both services, that modest gas savings would not offset the projected electric increase.

What Will Businesses Be Hit With?

The available winter forecast does not provide a comparable percentage or dollar estimate for business customers. The residential increase of 3% to 5% should not be presented as a commercial forecast.

Business bills depend on their service classification, energy consumption, supply arrangements and, for some accounts, demand charges tied to peak electricity use. National Grid’s business rate information confirms that supply costs vary with market conditions and location.

For restaurants running refrigeration, shops keeping their lights on and facilities heating large spaces, higher electricity expenses could put additional pressure on operating budgets. The actual financial hit will depend on each business’s account and usage; the published household figures do not answer that question.

These Are Estimates—Not a Ceiling

National Grid’s projections assume typical winter weather and reflect market information available at the end of September. Actual bills can change with temperatures, energy use and market conditions.

The company says supply charges pass through its energy purchasing costs without markup, while delivery charges support network operations, maintenance, storm response and upgrades.

For Central New York customers preparing for winter, the forecast offers limited reassurance: higher projected electricity costs, a small natural gas reduction and no comparable seasonal estimate in the available announcement for local businesses.