Heating oil prices in Maine jumped by a nickel a gallon over the past week as the state remains locked in the deepest cold spell of the season.

The state Office of Energy Independence and Security said the average statewide cash price for No. 2 heating oil now stands at $2.27. That's 12 cents lower than last year at this time.

The actual prices ranged from a low of a $1.96 at a dealer in northern Maine and a high of $2.45 in the southwestern part of the state.

The average price for kerosene rose by 4 cents, to $2.67 a gallon. And propane for domestic heating was up a penny to $2.36.

Officials said the higher prices are starting to reflect increased demand due to the cold weather.