India, Oct. 5 -- Millions of Americans are facing a sharp rise in home heating costs this winter as global energy prices remain high. The problem is especially serious for households that depend on heating oil to keep their homes warm during cold weather.

Heating oil prices are expected to rise 50% this winter, according to an estimate from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA). The increase could add nearly $900 to the average household's heating bill, putting more pressure on family budgets, Yahoo Finance reported.

Around 4.8 million US households use heating oil to warm their homes. Most of these households are in the Northeastern US and Alaska, where cold winters make home heating essential.

"There's a lot of...