Plymouth and Canton residents heating with natural gas could see lower seasonal bills this winter, but regional forecasts do not guarantee savings for individual utility customers.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2026-27 Winter Fuels Outlook projects Midwest households heating with natural gas will spend about 10% less this season than last. Lower fuel prices and temperatures similar to last year drive that forecast. Nationally, homes heated with natural gas can expect to pay an average of $640 over the five-month heating season, November through March, down 9%.

For electric-heated homes, the picture is worse. The EIA forecasts a 4% increase in winter electricity bills nationally, driven by a 3% rise in residential electricity prices. Midwest electric-heated homes face a projected seasonal cost of $1,380, up 3%.

“Relatively high natural gas inventories entering the winter season provide a cushion for heating demand, while households that rely on heating oil face higher prices because distillate markets remain tight,” EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey said, as reported by Quartz.

Utility rate increases

The federal projections use retail prices that include delivery costs. They are regional averages, rather than forecasts for individual Michigan utilities or households. Actual bills depend on local rates, weather and usage.

Plymouth lists Consumers Energy as its natural gas provider on its utilities page. The Michigan Public Service Commission approved a $139.2 million Consumers gas rate increase Oct. 15. It adds $3.92 monthly for a typical residential customer using 7,500 cubic feet of gas monthly. The rates took effect Nov. 1, according to the commission.

The commission approved a $74.52 million rate increase for DTE Gas on Sept. 10, according to its announcement. A typical residential customer using 7,500 cubic feet of natural gas per month pays an additional $2.87 per month, a 3.3% increase, effective Oct. 1. An additional 68-cent infrastructure surcharge takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Hours after that approval, DTE Gas notified the commission it plans to file for yet another rate increase, according to the attorney general’s office. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized the timing in a statement.

On the electric side, the commission approved a $242.4 million rate hike for DTE Electric in February, less than half the $574.1 million the utility requested, according to the commission. That added $4.93 per month to a typical residential bill for a customer using 500 kilowatt-hours monthly, starting March 5.

DTE then filed for a $474 million electric rate increase in April, which Nessel said would amount to a 9.7% hike for residential customers, according to her office’s announcement. That case remains pending before the commission.

Help paying winter bills

Winter shutoff protections depend on the utility, customer eligibility and program requirements. DTE’s Winter Protection Plan covers qualifying low-income customers and seniors 65 and older from Nov. 1 through March 31. Low-income participants must make monthly payments based on 7% of their estimated annual bill. Unpaid balances remain owed. DTE also says customers cannot apply for State Emergency Relief while enrolled in its Winter Protection Plan, according to its assistance page.

Several programs can help Plymouth and Canton households with heating costs:

  • Michigan Energy Assistance Program: Provides bill payment help for electricity, natural gas, propane and other heating fuels. Income eligibility is at or below 60% of state median income. The current four-person household limit is $71,871 annually, according to 2026-27 income guidance. Certain public assistance recipients may be categorically eligible. Applicants must receive electricity from a participating utility, according to the commission. THAW’s website currently says new applications, including walk-ins, are temporarily paused. Call 800-866-8429 with questions or check its assistance page.
  • State Emergency Relief: A crisis program covering energy-related expenses such as heating fuel, electricity and home repairs. Applications are accepted year-round through MI Bridges, according to state guidance.
  • Michigan Home Heating Credit: A state tax credit for low-income homeowners and renters. The deadline to file a claim for the 2025 tax year was Sept. 30, 2026, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Applications for the 2026 tax year are expected to become available in early 2027. The average qualifying household received $171 in assistance in 2025, according to Treasury’s September announcement.

Wayne Metro Community Action Agency offers energy assistance. Its current process requires prescreening before an application or appointment. Households may qualify for prescreening if utilities are shut off, they face disconnection, or the household includes someone 60 or older, someone with a disability or a child younger than 5. Call 313-388-9799, option 3, to begin. Residents can also dial 2-1-1 or visit Michigan 211 to find local energy assistance resources.

MEAP funding is limited. The commission adopted a funding factor of $1.50 per meter per month for participating electric utilities, effective with September 2026 billing, according to the commission’s energy assistance page. Contact providers to confirm current funding and application availability.