AUGUSTA – The state energy office says the average cash price for home heating oil has dropped 10 cents per gallon during the past week and now stands at an average of $2.83 statewide.

Actual prices ranged from a low of $2.35 in southwestern Maine to a high of $3 in all other regions of Maine.

Kerosene prices also were a dime lower, at $3.42, and propane for domestic heating slipped a nickel to $3.05.

Energy office Director John Kerry says expectations of a slowing economy have driven prices down, while tumult in the financial markets has made oil prices more volatile.

Heating oil prices had peaked at $4.71 a gallon in early July.