As winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, one of the biggest challenges facing millions of low-income families is how to pay higher heating bills with wages that are not keeping up with inflation. "Add a sweater," "add storm strips around Windows,"

"check your fireplace and clean out your plumbing" - Americans who used to be known as "big spenders" are now promoting tips on reducing their energy bills in the media. In the face of the recent surge in coal prices，

the Chinese government has acted decisively. The National Development and Reform Commission said on Monday that it would make full use of all necessary means under the Price Law to study specific measures to intervene in coal prices to "ensure the warmth of the people over the winter."

Heating bills for American homes will rise by 54%

With the global price of heating oil, natural gas, propane and electricity soaring, U.S. households will pay 54 percent more for heating this winter than they did last year.

"As we have come out of the worst of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, growth in energy demand has generally outpaced growth in supply," said EIA acting Administrator Mark Nally.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that nearly half of U.S. homes rely on natural gas for heating, and the average heating cost for those homes is expected to reach $746 between October and March. About 40 percent of U.S. homes rely primarily on electricity for heating, which is more expensive than natural gas and is expected to cost about $1,268 per household.

"Temperatures across the United States are expected to be slightly cooler this winter than last year. That means people will burn more fuel to heat their homes, but each little bit of fuel will cost more, "said Hardison,

chief executive of Crisis Assistance in Charlotte, North Carolina, where poor families have recently come to Charlotte seeking assistance with unpaid energy bills that are roughly double what they were before the COVID-19 outbreak.

They face more expensive rent, higher medical bills and sometimes a lack of working hours. A Census Bureau survey last month found that nearly 22% of Americans had to cut back or forego spending on medicine or food in the past 12 months to pay their energy bills.

Americans are also beginning to pinch pennies, and the media is promoting such convenient tips as "how to avoid soaring electricity bills in winter." According to advice from heating experts cited by CBS News, preventive maintenance of HVAC can help homeowners save up to 25 percent on energy costs.

Kentucky Power warns that loose or damaged plumbing can drain up to 35 percent of a home's energy, and recommends opening south-facing Windows during the day to let in sunlight and heat and closing them at night to save heat.

In Alexandria, Louisiana, where gas prices have risen 228% over the past year, heating customer service manager Sargent said, "Heating costs are expected to be higher than usual this winter,

so we encourage residents to take steps now to make their homes more energy efficient." The simplest measures, such as adding wind strips or caulking around Windows, can make a big difference and reduce energy bills."

More Europeans will fall into energy poverty

Europeans are also having a hard time. The price of natural gas, which has long fluctuated between 15 and 20 euros per megawatt hour, has soared to 65 euros. Since the beginning of the year, electricity prices in Germany have increased by about 140 percent, while prices in Spain have increased by 425 percent. Oil prices are at their highest level in three years.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) said on the 19th that the alarming rise in natural gas prices has hit Italy's food supply chain hard and pushed up the cost of drying grains, which will eventually push up the price of bread in the city.

Meat and dairy channels are more vulnerable, as farmers are forced to pay more for feed and pass the cost on to consumers. The Italian Cereals Association predicted that energy costs for processing wheat and corn are expected to rise more than 600 percent in the last three months of the year,

while many corn and wheat farmers in Germany cannot find fertilizer made from natural gas. Austrian Institute of Economic Research director Felbermaier warned that "if a severe winter comes, it may be necessary to shut down plants that use natural gas as raw materials."

In Asia, Europe and Latin America, manufacturers of chemicals, steel, ceramics and other products that require a lot of energy have seen their profits squeezed and some factories have suspended production. In South Korea,

electricity rates rose for the first time since 2013, and small businesses that have struggled for months under strict quarantine regulations are more worried about future price increases.

"To save money, we have to wash dishes or clothes in the evening (during the day, ladder electricity is more expensive)," Ferni, a mother of two and teacher in Bologna, Italy, told reporters.