The U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) annual Winter Fuels Outlook, released Tuesday, projects that households using heating oil will spend an average of $2,115 from November through March, a 21% increase from last year. This surge is attributed to a tight global market for distillate fuels, which includes heating oil and diesel. Despite a forecast for a warmer winter, which may reduce consumption, the average price for heating oil is expected to reach $5.26 a gallon, up 34% from last winter. Households in the Northeast, where heating oil use is concentrated, are expected to be most affected.