The average U.S. household is expected to pay $892 to heat the house this winter season, up $107, or 13.6 percent, from last year, but $152 less than projected at the beginning of the winter, the Energy Department said Tuesday.

Temperatures have been more moderate than were expected at the beginning of the heating season, when the government was projecting a slightly colder-than-usual winter. The heating season runs through March 31.

For the 61.6 million households that heat with natural gas, the total heating bill is expected to be $867, up $126, or 17 percent, from last year. A month ago, the bill was expected to be $920.