Residents along the Princeton Pike corridor face a mixed picture on winter heating costs, with lower natural gas fuel prices offset by a pending Duke Energy rate hike and climbing electricity charges across Ohio.

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. Nationally, natural gas heated homes can expect to pay an average of $640 over the five-month heating season, down 9%. Midwest electric-heated homes, though, 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.

Duke Energy seeks higher rates

Those federal projections do not account for utility-specific rate changes hitting Greater Cincinnati customers.

Duke Energy filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) in March seeking an electric distribution rate adjustment. Duke spokesperson Matt Martin told Local 12 the proposal would raise the average residential bill by about 4.5%, or roughly $8 per month for a customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) disputes that estimate. In a consumer alert, the OCC said distribution charges alone could rise nearly $18 per month. Kathryn Metz, senior outreach and education specialist for the OCC, told Local 12 that Duke's $8 figure blends distribution with transmission and generation costs, while the rate case covers only distribution.

A final PUCO decision is not expected until 2027. Duke also notified regulators it plans to seek a natural gas distribution rate increase, though details have not been released, Local 12 reported.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported in July that the average monthly Duke Energy Ohio residential electric bill reached $115.56 in May 2026, up from $70.21 in May 2025, according to the MIT-backed Electricity Price Hub.

On the gas side, statewide bills have been climbing. A Signal Ohio analysis published in February found Ohio natural gas bills rose 84% between May 2024 and February 2026 for a household consuming equal volumes of gas, based on Ohio Utility Rate Survey data. JP Blackwood, a spokesman for the OCC, told Signal Ohio that rising commodity prices are the biggest driver, though PUCO-approved distribution rate increases "just make a bad situation worse."

Local aggregation programs

Springdale and Sharonville both run aggregation programs that lock in rates below Duke's standard price.

Springdale renewed its electric aggregation agreement with Dynegy in May 2026, according to the city's aggregation page. The new fixed rate is $0.10099 per kilowatt-hour, running August 2026 through November 2027. The city also renewed its natural gas aggregation with AEP Energy at a fixed $0.5378 per ccf, running October 2026 through October 2027.

The City of Sharonville selected WGL Energy for its next electric aggregation cycle, according to a city Facebook post. That program runs November 2026 through November 2027 at a fixed rate of $0.10276 per kilowatt-hour. Duke's standard price-to-compare was $0.10690 per kilowatt-hour at the time of the post.

Ohio is a deregulated state, so homeowners who are not in an aggregation program can shop for their own supplier at energychoice.ohio.gov.

How to apply for energy assistance

Ohio's 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. The state plan lists benefits ranging from $31 to $546. 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. Residents can call 1-800-282-0880 to find their local provider.

Ohio has no asset test for HEAP. Savings, retirement accounts and homeownership do not disqualify applicants, according to BenefitsUSA.

Duke customers have additional options

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel lists Duke Energy's Share the Light program, which provides up to $1,500 for customers with a past-due balance, unpaid deposit or reconnection charge. That program opened Jan. 19, 2026, and runs until funds are exhausted. Duke customers can call the Share the Light hotline at 513-762-5636.

Duke Energy also participates in the Ohio Utility Assistance Program through Dollar Energy Fund, which provides up to $300 per utility for households with income between 175% and 250% of federal poverty guidelines. That 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.