CALGARY — The National Energy Board says a cold winter could push up home-heating costs for Canadians this year.
The federal regulator says weather could have a significant impact on prices, with a colder than normal winter predicted in most of the country.
The agency says if those weather predictions are correct, there will be higher demand for heating oil, natural gas, and electricity.
With the price of home heating oil closely tracking the rising price of crude, average heating oil prices are expected to rise slightly this winter to between $1 and $1.20 a litre.
Many parts of Atlantic Canada use heating oil as their main source of fuel for their furnaces.
Meanwhile, natural gas prices are about the same as last year as higher production meets slightly higher demand.
But the energy board says the potential for cold weather to disrupt gas supplies could boost prices.
So does higher demand for industrial use and electricity generation.
Canadians can also expect electricity prices to be slightly higher than average this winter.