U.S. consumers are encountering rising energy costs linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, which could influence winter heating expenses. Over the past year, the average price of a gallon of gasoline has climbed by $1.26, while diesel has increased by $2.74 per gallon. These rising fuel costs have also contributed to higher airfares. As colder weather approaches, these pressures may soon impact home heating costs, especially in regions with harsher winters. The most significant price increases are expected for households using heating oil, which has seen a roughly 60 percent surge since the war began in late February. Heating oil, which is derived from crude oil and is similar to diesel, is used by approximately 3 percent of U.S. households, mostly in the Northeast, with many Alaskans also relying on it. The average price of heating oil was $4.10 per gallon just a week before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, but it jumped to $5.54 a month later and has continued to rise. In New York State, for example, the average price per gallon reached $6.14 on September 14, compared to $3.70 at the same time last year. As the winter heating season, which runs from October to March, approaches, many Americans are uncertain about their heating costs due to the unpredictable nature of the war. President Donald Trump has described higher fuel prices as a "small price to pay" for the conflict, and he recently suggested the war might soon end. In response, some consumers are contacting oil suppliers and trying to manage their heating costs by purchasing only minimal amounts of fuel now, hoping prices will drop later. Households that use electricity or natural gas for heating are likely to face more modest increases this winter. Natural gas, used by about 47 percent of U.S. households, is currently in plentiful supply, with no shortages expected. The U.S. is the world's largest producer of natural gas, and the wholesale price of natural gas was lower in September than it was a year ago, despite a slight increase in delivered household prices. Similarly, homes that use electricity for heating may see a small rise in costs. The average national residential electricity rate was about 18.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in June, reflecting a roughly 5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. About 42 percent of U.S. households use electric heaters or heat pumps.