Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the preferred choice in Washington, used by 298,426 or 48% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington households 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 (in Number 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
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Washington. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil dipped from 374,110 to 298,426, a 20% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 41,477 to 101,382, a 144% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 28,621 to 53,178, a 86% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Washington. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 23,260 to 92,432, a 297% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all 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 (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. Now, 3,526 homes in Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 455% gain from 2012, when 635 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 use fluctuates from year to year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 homes heating with fuel oil, selecting 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 homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for clients who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. 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 Number Two Heating Oil company : 298426
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
298,426 households in Washington heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 17.7° F each winter. 47.8% of Washington households rely 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 Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 246,945,991 gallons of oil delivered to Washington homes the last heating season, the Washington community looks to its 1 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery has two parts to it: 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 homes and businesses throughout Washington and the surrounding region.
