By Doug Fletcher,Staff Writer

Prices for No. 2 heating oil and kerosene fell again this week, according to the state’s most recent survey of home energy costs.

No. 2, the fuel of choice for roughly 78 percent of Maine’s homes, was found to be selling for a statewide average of $2.43 per gallon. That’s down 4 cents since last week’s survey, but up 42 cents since this week last year.

Kerosene was averaging $2.84 per gallon. That’s a 6-cent drop over the past week, but 54 cents more than the commodity cost a year ago.

Propane prices were unchanged at $2.25 per gallon for the gas when bought in bulk for home heating purposes. The propane price is up 26 cents since this week last year.

In a narrative accompanying release of the survey findings, the state’s Office of Energy Independence and Security said production of distillate fuels – heating oil and kerosene as well as diesel – has increased, with many refineries returning to normal operating levels after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Still, the office said production of the home heating fuels is lagging behind that of gasoline. Distillate imports are lower than normal, the office said, with a strong global demand for diesel limiting the supply.

The result: While gasoline prices have fallen dramatically since late August and early September, home energy fuels haven’t mirrored the declines.