The ongoing conflict in Iran is contributing to a rise in home heating oil prices throughout New Hampshire and the broader United States. Residents are experiencing the effects of these escalating costs, as evidenced by a Hooksett resident’s recent experiences with home heating oil purchases.

Tammy regularly fills her 200-gallon heating oil tank and has noticed a significant increase in her expenses over the past few months. Specifically, her payments for oil have jumped by 31% since October. This trend reflects a nationwide surge in heating oil prices, which averaged $3.60 per gallon in January but climbed to more than $4.20 per gallon by March. With typical home heating oil tanks having a capacity of around 275 gallons, fully refilling could now exceed $1,000.

Experts do not expect prices to decrease quickly, even if the situation in Iran were to resolve soon. An industry professional noted that it may take two to three times longer for prices to return to previous levels after such spikes.

To mitigate costs, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association has suggested that consumers purchase only what they require and explore price comparisons among local suppliers. Residents are advised to act quickly and stay informed about fluctuating prices, as daily changes are common. Some suppliers may also have leftover stock at lower prices from previous weeks, which consumers should consider.

While warming temperatures in spring may ease some financial pressures, many households will still rely on heating oil for appliances like water heaters throughout the year.