WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a forecasting model this month predicting the average unit cost of five residential energy sources for the year 2014. The five sources are electricity, natural gas, No. 2 heating oil, propane, and kerosene.

Four of the five of these is expected to rise as compared to the same analysis done in March of 2013. The biggest raise will come in propane. The price is estimated to increase $3.50 per million Btu, which translates to an approximate increase of $0.32 a gallon. No. 2 heating oil should go down a nickel per gallon as compared to 2013. Electricity will rise marginally from $35.46 Btu to $36.34 Btu. Natural gas and kerosene are also expected to increase. Natural gas will go up $0.41 per Btu, or $0.04 per therm4. Kerosene will rise $0.51 per Btu, or $0.07 per gallon.

The cost estimate measures, which were published in the Federal Register, will be effective as of April 17, 2014. According to the government, these new numbers will supersede, the previous cost figures published March 22, 2013.

For more information, visit www.eia.doe.gov.