You've heard it on the news for months: fuel costs are rising. As a result, many Americans are experiencing inflated heating bills this winter.

Using the Northeast as an example, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) says that the average cost for a gallon of home heating oil last winter was $1.19. This rate translated into a winter heating bill of $765 for the typical family. This year, the EIA estimates that the average cost per gallon will be $1.32, with a total winter heating cost of $900 for an average family.  And if it's a very cold winter -- and weather forecasters expect it will be colder than it's been the past few years -- costs could be even higher.

To create some relief, in September President Clinton authorized the release of 30 million barrels of crude oil from the U.S. reserves.  In response, the price of fuel did dip a little that month.  However, demand is higher than supply, say analysts, so fuel still will cost more this winter than it has in recent years.