Homeowners have a variety of home heating fuels to choose from. Natural gas is the most popular choice in Rhode Island, used by 238,742 or 54.26% of homes. The 2nd most popular choice for Rhode Island homeowners is heating oil, used by 123,813 homes (28.14%). The remaining homes are heated with electricity (48,633), propane (20,429), wood (6,316), and other fuels (5,741).
Rhode Island Primary Home Heating Fuel Popularity by Number of Households
Fuel | Rhode Island Households | % of Households |
---|---|---|
Natural Gas | 238,742 | 54.26% |
Heating Oil | 123,813 | 28.14% |
Electricity | 48,633 | 11.05% |
Propane | 20,429 | 4.64% |
Wood | 6,316 | 1.44% |
Other Fuels | 2,906 | 0.66% |
No Fuel | 2,274 | 0.52% |
Solar | 368 | 0.08% |
Coal | 193 | 0.04% |
Natural gas (54.26)
Heating oil (28.14)
Electricity (11.05)
Propane (4.64)
Wood (1.44)
Other fuels (0.66)
No fuel (0.52)
Solar (0.08)
Coal (0.04)
Heating oil has become less popular in Rhode Island. In the 11 years since 2011, the number of heating oil homes fell from 157,426 to 123,813, a 21.35% drop.
Rhode Island Heating Oil Households (2011 - 2022)
Year | Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
2011 | 157,426 |
2012 | 153,479 |
2013 | 147,768 |
2014 | 142,612 |
2015 | 137,451 |
2016 | 132,040 |
2017 | 128,844 |
2018 | 125,460 |
2019 | 122,583 |
2020 | 121,062 |
2021 | 122,289 |
2022 | 123,813 |
Between 2011 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 8,191 to 20,429.
Between 2011 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 202,626 to 238,742.
Electric space heating systems are becoming more popular in Rhode Island. Since 2011, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 34,097 to 48,633, a 42.63% increase.
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all space heating fuels. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid is circulated between solar panels on a home’s roof and a heat energy storage tank in the basement.
Currently, 368 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 493.55% increase from 2011, when only 62 homes had installed active solar heating.