Fall is arriving on the Delmarva Peninsula, and with cooler weather comes local residents’ concerns about home heating costs this winter. Here is what local residents should know before the heating season starts.
Electric Rates Are Already Higher in 2026
Electric rates jumped twice in 2026. Delmarva Power raised rates in June and again in July. Combined, the increases added about 13% to the average residential electric bill.
Propane prices are a different story. National supply remains above the five year average heading into winter. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects propane prices to stay relatively low through the season, although some price increases can always be expected during the winter months.
For the full story on what affects propane prices and what we’ve seen in years past, read our blog post about 10 factors that affect propane cost per gallon on Delmarva.
Winter Weather Impacts Predicted
It’s always difficult to predict what the weather will do more than about 72 hours in advance. So far, what we know is that the U.S. is expected to have more precipitation this winter due to a Super El Niño weather pattern.
For Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, that likely means milder than average winter temperatures. Forecasters are confident, however, that the Mid-Atlantic will have above-normal rain and snow this year. The two most recent Super El Niño winters, 2009-2010 and 2015-2016, both brought major snow events to our region. Of the past seven strong El Niño winters, four resulted in above-normal snowfall events, and three were below-normal.
All forecasts considered, this winter could go either way, so it’s best to be prepared.
What the 2026 Forecast Means for Your Home Heating Costs
Homeowners heating with electricity should expect higher bills again this winter. The rate increases are already in effect, so that’s not totally dependent on the weather.
Troy Harrison has worked at PepUp for 34 years, and serves as Senior Pricing Analyst. He’s watching the propane supply and pricing impacts, and shared that customers who heat their homes with propane have more control over their winter heating bills, no matter how cold the weather gets.
“Propane customers on the Peninsula are in a good position this fall. Supply is healthy, and PepUp gives homeowners a way to cap their price before winter demand picks up.”
Troy Harrison, PepUp Senior Pricing Analyst
Adding Propane for Backup Heat
Power outages often follow winter storms. Electric heat stops working the moment the power goes out. Propane-powered generators can help, but other options may be less expensive if heating your home is your primary concern.
Vented and vent-free propane wall heaters and freestanding heaters use a pilot instead of a powered blower, so they still work during an outage. We often recommend, sell, and install Heatstar Blue Flame heaters, which are connected to a propane supply line that runs from a primary tank outside. These heaters are ideal for reliable backup heating in the event of a power outage.
Homeowners who want to learn more about installing backup propane heating for storm season should talk to a PepUp Energy Specialist about options and safe propane heater use.
What Homeowners Can Do Now
- Schedule delivery or sign up for Automatic Delivery before the cold arrives.
- Check your tank level and clear the area around it.
- Keep the path to your tank clear of snow and ice through the season.
- Know where your propane tank’s shutoff valve is located.
- Learn about the Promise Plan and cap your price for the season.
Whatever the winter has in store for us, PepUp is here to answer your questions and concerns, and recommend the best ways to prepare your home for winter weather. Give us a call at 800-638-7802 to speak with an Energy Specialist about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Delmarva Power raised electric rates twice in 2026, in June and July. Combined, the increases add about 13% to the average residential bill.
National propane supply sits above the five year average heading into winter. The EIA expects that supply to keep downward pressure on prices through the season. Regional prices still depend on weather and local demand.
The Promise Plan spreads propane tank refill payments across monthly installments, based on anticipated and historical usage patterns. It gives Delmarva homeowners a predictable way to budget for winter heating.
Add Price Protection for a nominal fee to cap your price per gallon at the market rate when you enroll, combining level monthly payments with a price cap to best manage your heating costs through the winter. This allows for better predictability. PepUp Promise Plan customers with Price Protection saved an average of $550 in 2025, when compared to customers without Price Protection.
Schedule delivery before a storm is in the forecast, and before your propane tank gauge hits 30 percent. Keep the path to your tank clear of snow and ice. Automatic delivery removes the guesswork during winter, ensuring your propane-heated home is never without heat when it’s cold outside. And, don’t worry about your propane tank freezing; keeping it above 30 percent will help the supply lines function normally, because it adds the pressure needed to move cold propane through the system. Propane doesn’t freeze at even the lowest temperature we experience on Delmarva.
Some do. Vented and vent-free propane heaters use a standing pilot and radiant heating instead of an electric blower, so they keep running without power. Central furnaces that depend on an electric blower will not, so consider having a backup propane heat source that doesn’t depend on electricity, and know how to operate it safely.
For a full review of propane vs. electric options for home heating, read our blog post that breaks down the costs and benefits of both options.
