Cheapest Central Maine Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Month Trend | +$0.100 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$1.400 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Central Maine Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host 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 residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Central Maine homeowners 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
Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Central Maine. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of homeowners using heating oil dropped from 52,912 to 45,174, a 15% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Central Maine
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 3,523 to 9,265, a 163% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 338 to 3,723, a 1001% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Central Maine
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Central Maine. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 2,375 to 6,978, a 194% 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. Today, 416 homes in Central Maine are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 2673% gain from 2012, when 15 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 plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value 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 Ness Oil Company or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The family does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for families who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Central Maine cash heating oil companies serving Central Maine include Litchfield Fuel Co and O'Farrell Energy.
Central Maine Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Central Maine: 26 companies .
Average Number of Central Maine Households 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 homes are reliant on number two 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 Go The Distance
With 33,434,917 gallons of oil delivered to Central Maine families the last heating season, the Central Maine community relies on its 26 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 homes and businesses throughout Central Maine and the surrounding area.
