Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most popular choice in Washington, used by 298,426 or 48% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington residents is Propane, used by 101,382 homes (16%). The remaining homes are heated with Electricity (15%), Wood (10%), Natural Gas (9%), and Other (2%).
Washington County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 53,178 | 101,382 | 92,432 | 298,426 | 65,496 | 3,526 | 9,422 |
| 2024 | 51,248 | 98,171 | 83,361 | 309,159 | 59,610 | 3,144 | 8,226 |
| 2023 | 51,811 | 84,744 | 79,160 | 323,666 | 57,999 | 2,137 | 12,767 |
| 2022 | 48,991 | 84,304 | 63,901 | 339,456 | 51,998 | 1,704 | 11,224 |
| 2021 | 47,952 | 78,322 | 61,019 | 345,133 | 46,227 | 1,374 | 10,375 |
| 2020 | 46,351 | 73,782 | 54,514 | 345,001 | 50,077 | 1,210 | 9,402 |
| 2019 | 44,750 | 69,241 | 48,008 | 344,869 | 53,927 | 1,047 | 8,428 |
| 2018 | 44,328 | 61,194 | 41,759 | 355,904 | 54,843 | 1,169 | 8,683 |
| 2017 | 41,841 | 61,816 | 36,406 | 331,541 | 54,454 | 1,228 | 10,328 |
| 2016 | 41,879 | 52,621 | 33,543 | 333,900 | 55,290 | 312 | 11,584 |
| 2015 | 37,624 | 50,511 | 35,138 | 336,337 | 70,767 | 604 | 11,270 |
| 2014 | 37,608 | 48,027 | 28,040 | 342,185 | 78,214 | 451 | 11,692 |
| 2013 | 31,836 | 45,601 | 28,747 | 351,842 | 76,707 | 486 | 9,827 |
| 2012 | 28,621 | 41,477 | 23,260 | 374,110 | 76,225 | 635 | 6,995 |
| 2011 | 27,427 | 42,224 | 24,723 | 379,409 | 68,055 | 307 | 6,480 |
| 2010 | 23,135 | 36,617 | 27,813 | 384,021 | 65,520 | 446 | 5,177 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Washington
Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Washington. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of homeowners using heating oil fell from 323,666 to 298,426, a 8% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2023 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 84,744 to 101,382, a 20% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 51,811 to 53,178, a 3% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 79,160 to 92,432, a 17% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington
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. Currently, 3,526 homes in Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 65% gain from 2023, when 2,137 homes had active solar heating.
Washington County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Washington County homeowners purchased a total of 439,688 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Washington’s overall fuel oil usage changes yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Washington was 24.4°F, which was 4.2°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Washington County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 24.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 28.6° F |
Washington County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Washington residences heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Washington makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating 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 client 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 families 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 either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. A few of the 1 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include Vl Tammaro Oil Co Inc and .
Washington Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Washington: 1 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 298426
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
298,426 homes in Washington heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 17.7° F each winter. 47.8% of Washington families depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
23.9% of Washington County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Washington County Households | Washington County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 1.2M | 298,426 |
1 Washington Fuel Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 246,945,991 gallons of heating oil delivered to Washington homeowners the last heating season, the Washington community looks to its 1 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Washington, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Sprague in So. Portland, ME. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Washington and the surrounding region.
