Cheapest Central Maine Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Day Trend | -$0.001 |
| 1 Week Trend | +$0.257 |
| 1 Month Trend | +$0.388 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$1.298 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Central Maine Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Central Maine, used by 45,174 or 59% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Central Maine households is Propane, used by 9,265 homes (12%). The remaining homes are heated with Wood (11%), Electricity (9%), Natural Gas (5%), and Other (2%).
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Central Maine
Fuel oil has become losing popularity in Central Maine. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of residents using heating oil dipped from 46,637 to 45,174, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Central Maine
Between 2021 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 7,430 to 9,265, a 25% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 2,686 to 3,723, a 39% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Central Maine
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Central Maine. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 4,893 to 6,978, a 43% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Central Maine
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid flows 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 56% gain from 2021, when 266 homes had active solar heating.
Central Maine Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Central Maine homeowners heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 26 heating oil companies that serve Central Maine is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 3 “full-service” oil companies that serve Central Maine. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating 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 household 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 number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 0 Central Maine cash heating oil companies serving Central Maine include and .
Central Maine Number Two Heating Oil Company Statistics: Oil Companies Serving Central Maine: 26 companies .
Average Number of Central Maine Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 1737
Central Maine Heating Oil Delivery Overview
45,174 families in Central Maine heat their homes with heating 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 houses are reliant on heating 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 You Can Trust
With 33,434,917 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Central Maine homeowners the last heating season, the Central Maine community relies on its 26 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery is a two step process: 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 number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Central Maine and the surrounding area.
