NEW YORK — It probably won’t cost as much to stay warm this winter because a repeat of the deep freeze that kept much of the nation shivering last winter is so unlikely.

The Energy Department predicts that natural gas customers will see bills fall for the October-to-March heating season to $649, from $680 last year. Electric customers will pay $938, down from $955.

Heating oil customers will pay $1,992 on average, $362 less than last year. Propane customers in the Midwest will pay $1,500, a savings of $767.