Cheapest Central Maine Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Week Trend | +$0.039 |
| 1 Month Trend | +$0.500 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$0.309 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Central Maine Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Central Maine, used by 45,174 or 59% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Central Maine residents is Propane, used by 9,265 homes (12%). The other homes are heated with Wood (11%), Electricity (9%), Natural Gas (5%), and Other (2%).
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Central Maine
Number two heating oil has become less popular in Central Maine. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of families using number two heating oil declined from 47,158 to 45,174, a 4% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Central Maine
Between 2020 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 6,853 to 9,265, a 35% change. Comparing 2020 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 2,608 to 3,723, a 43% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Central Maine
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Central Maine. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 4,473 to 6,978, a 56% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Central Maine
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid is circulated between solar panels on a home’s roof and a heat energy storage tank (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. Now, 416 homes in Central Maine are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 66% gain from 2020, when 250 homes had active solar heating.
Central Maine Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Central Maine homes heating with heating oil, selecting which of the 26 heating oil companies that serve Central Maine plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 3 “full-service” oil companies that serve Central Maine. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Some of the 0 Central Maine cash heating oil companies serving Central Maine include and .
Central Maine Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Central Maine: 26 companies .
Average Number of Central Maine Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 1737
Central Maine Heating Oil Delivery Overview
45,174 households in Central Maine heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Central Maine temperatures drop as low as 17.7° F each winter. 59.4% of Central Maine families are reliant on fuel oil delivery each winter.
59.4% of Central Maine Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Central Maine Households | Central Maine Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 76,021 | 45,174 |
26 Central Maine Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 33,434,917 gallons of heating oil delivered to Central Maine homes during this past winter, the Central Maine community relies on its 26 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Central Maine, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Sprague in So. Portland, ME. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Central Maine and the surrounding region.
