View an updated version of the report here.

This report analyzes data from both the 2005 Residential Energy Consumption Survey and the October 2011 Short-Term Energy Outlook report It examines heating-related energy consumption and expenditures among consumers age 65 and older based on income, heating fuel used, and geographic location. Analysis shows that winter heating costs are likely to be higher for older households heating with fuel oil than for those heating with natural gas or electricity. Winter heating costs are likely to be a greater burden on older low-income households than on similarly aged higher-income households, even though low-income households tend to use less heating fuel than other groups. This report will be updated monthly through March 2012 as new data are released.