Weather 
Plunging temps — soaring bills.
New York City is in the midst of what’s likely to be the longest cold snap since 2003, with the mercury in the Big Apple remaining below freezing since last Friday.
It is expected to stay that way until Monday — 12 straight days of icy hell — and the big freeze could burn a big hole in your wallet.
“Most people should expect heating bills to go up during prolonged cold stretches,” home care and cleaning expert Scott Grillo told The Post. “When temperatures stay below freezing, heating systems have to run longer and harder, especially overnight, and that usually shows up quickly on the bill.”
According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), home heating costs are already projected to rise 9.2% across America this winter, with households expected to spend an average of $995 on heating this winter.
However, in the Empire State and surrounding areas shivering through the historic cold snap, the prices could be even higher.
The New York Department of Public Service told The Post that “the amount of bill increases is difficult to pinpoint at this time,” but conceded that “as of Jan. 28, for the winter to date from Nov. 1, the winter has been 10% colder than normal, so usage will increase, leading to higher bills.”
ConEdison did not respond to The Post’s request for comment on potential gas costs.
The Post crunched some numbers to find out just how much the cold could cost you — and it could send an added chill down your spine.
In New York, current heating oil prices average $3.84 per gallon as of Jan. 19, according to the state Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).
On a mild winter’s day, with temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 2 gallons might comfortably heat a typical 2,000- to 2,500-square-foot home, per Main Care Express, coming out to just $7.68.
But in frigid, sub-zero weather, the same-sized homes need about 8 gallons of heating oil per day, working out to be $30.72 — a big price increase of $23.04 daily.
If the cold snap lasts 12 days, that’s a total of $276.48 extra spent on heating oil.
In Manhattan specifically, heating oil prices averaged at $3.97 per gallon as of Jan. 19, per NYSERDA, and 8 gallons of heating oil per day would come out to a daily cost of $31.76.
That’s a total of $381.12 over the course of 12 days.
Propane costs and usage are very similar. According to NYSERDA, propane is averaging $3.40 per gallon this week statewide.
In milder weather, 2 gallons per day is enough to comfortably heat a home, while in sub-zero temperatures, around 8 gallons is needed.
That’s an extra $27.20 per day — or $326.40 if the current cold snap does indeed last 12 days.
Meanwhile, using an electric heater to stay warm will also run you up serious cash.
A typical 1,500-watt space heater, which can comfortably heat a standard-sized, well-insulated living room, will cost New Yorkers $9.11 per day if it’s left running for 24 hours, Eco Flow reports. That’s $109.32 for the Big Apple’s 12-day deep freeze.
While many New Yorkers are having to grapple with the financial strains of paying for their heat in the below-freezing temperatures, others are trying to manage simply surviving the cold with no access to warmth at all.
After Winter Storm Fern tumbled through, Upper West Side renter Kate B. spent the weekend in her apartment without working heat, relying on blankets and a space heater.
“There’s a lot of frustration with my landlord because there has been little to no response,” she told The Post. “I told them I don’t want to renew a lease on an apartment where the heat doesn’t work, and they said, ‘Yeah, that’s not good. Let’s try and fix it.’ And they still haven’t fixed it.”
While her landlord did provide her with a space heater, she said — an appliance she has to foot the electricity bill for — it does make her “a little bit nervous” to keep it running, especially when she’s asleep.
According to Grillo, to be safe, space heaters should be kept at least three feet from anything flammable, never left unattended and plugged directly into a wall outlet.
He suggested opting for a model with tip-over protection and an automatic shut off — and absolutely avoid unsafe heat sources such as ovens or indoor grills.
For Kate, figuring out how to make the most of the singular space heater in her apartment was the trickiest part.
“I figured out how to position it, and I had to put it on a couple shoe boxes for it to be tall enough to actually hit me when I’m in my bed,” Kate said with a laugh. “But it works some.”
She admitted that she didn’t call 311 or Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), but that’s because she plans to move to a new apartment next month — and the lack of heat was a part of her deciding factor.
“I’m getting out of here,” she shared.
Luckily, Kate figured out an escape for this upcoming icy weekend: a hotel with working heat.
Aside from escaping, there are some tricks people can do in their homes to keep costs down while still staying warm.
“Small adjustments go a long way,” Grillo advised. “Lowering the thermostat a degree or two, sealing drafts, using curtains at night, and dressing in warmer layers all help.”
“Keeping entryways dry and clean also matters in winter,” he explained. “Snow and slush tracked inside can make floors colder and force people to turn the heat up. Simple tools and mats, including pet hair and fur solutions like FurZapper, can help keep fabrics and floors drier and more comfortable.”
He also said to stay in the warmest part of your home, close off unused rooms, layer up and use blankets.
