Long Island Heaters Face $2.50 Per Gallon Winter Hike

Heating oil costs on Long Island have climbed to near-record levels for the 2026 winter season.

The average price in Suffolk County hit $6.27 per gallon last week. This figure sits just 4 cents below the New York State average. The state rate is 64.6 percent higher than the price recorded one year ago at $3.83.

NYSERDA data shows the local price peaked on October 26 at $6.40 per gallon. The previous time prices reached that level was May 2022, when they briefly hit $6.46. That spike followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Current market pressure stems from sanctions on Russian oil and the United States and Israel’s conflict with Iran. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on February 28, restricting oil exports.

Approximately 42 percent of Suffolk County households rely on fuel oil or kerosene, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This share is nearly equal to the number of homes served by natural gas. About 10 percent of households use electricity for heat, and slightly more than 4 percent use propane.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that 4.79 million U.S. households use home heating oil, with 82 percent located in the Northeast. A typical Northeast home consumes between 850 and 1,200 gallons per winter. A $2.50 increase in the per-gallon price from last winter adds between $2,108 and $2,976 to a household’s annual heating bill.

Vendors offer different pricing structures for delivery. Cash on delivery rates are typically lower than contract prices. Contracts often include free emergency technician visits. Homeowners who lock in a flat annual rate may save if prices rise, but they lose savings if market prices drop before renewal.

Some suppliers now provide ceiling price contracts. These agreements cap the maximum cost per gallon but allow customers to share in price declines. The starting price for a ceiling contract is generally higher than a flat rate, creating a trade-off between risk and cost.