And make no mistake Energy prices are everything these days. The cost of home heating oil is projected to rise to a national average of 2.47 a gallon this winter, a 28.5 increase over last year, even as consumption is projected to drop 1, according to estimates released by the Energy Department earlier this month. Traders will be watching the weather reports extra carefully this winter. The demand for energy has been tempered by high prices, ... but demand could surge again if winter weather turns unusually cold.