Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Clinton Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Clinton, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Clinton homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,365,710 homes (18%). The rest of the homes are heated with Heating Oil (14%), Propane (5%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Clinton County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,725,574 | 377,922 | 1,365,710 | 1,103,323 | 92,054 | 16,434 | 100,232 |
| 2024 | 4,679,558 | 370,910 | 1,292,868 | 1,143,783 | 96,147 | 15,259 | 97,524 |
| 2023 | 4,581,041 | 402,335 | 1,263,700 | 1,212,850 | 100,015 | 11,208 | 104,369 |
| 2022 | 4,542,443 | 400,969 | 1,190,880 | 1,279,260 | 99,080 | 11,314 | 103,810 |
| 2021 | 4,489,009 | 388,311 | 1,118,015 | 1,293,770 | 108,202 | 8,858 | 98,952 |
| 2020 | 4,504,504 | 353,944 | 1,014,730 | 1,343,665 | 111,106 | 8,778 | 89,024 |
| 2019 | 4,519,999 | 319,576 | 911,445 | 1,393,560 | 114,011 | 8,697 | 79,096 |
| 2018 | 4,397,917 | 308,020 | 890,554 | 1,459,976 | 120,159 | 6,022 | 82,621 |
| 2017 | 4,339,349 | 294,973 | 867,925 | 1,496,843 | 122,088 | 5,988 | 77,386 |
| 2016 | 4,227,422 | 273,838 | 860,856 | 1,540,787 | 126,890 | 6,535 | 79,479 |
| 2015 | 4,202,413 | 265,224 | 808,370 | 1,649,860 | 141,016 | 3,120 | 78,999 |
| 2014 | 4,186,666 | 258,775 | 770,577 | 1,752,656 | 145,012 | 2,573 | 76,963 |
| 2013 | 4,074,510 | 259,367 | 764,400 | 1,802,442 | 148,422 | 2,525 | 81,841 |
| 2012 | 4,044,389 | 237,738 | 775,390 | 1,901,118 | 155,603 | 2,168 | 61,429 |
| 2011 | 4,014,222 | 222,634 | 707,016 | 1,979,067 | 143,287 | 2,728 | 63,609 |
| 2010 | 3,961,085 | 227,607 | 676,262 | 2,068,004 | 143,242 | 1,823 | 61,664 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Clinton
Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Clinton. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil declined from 1,293,770 to 1,103,323, a 15% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Clinton
Between 2021 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel decreased from 388,311 to 377,922, a 3% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 4,489,009 to 4,725,574, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Clinton
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Clinton. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,118,015 to 1,365,710, a 22% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Clinton
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. Today, 16,434 homes in Clinton are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 86% gain from 2021, when 8,858 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Clinton County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Clinton County homeowners purchased a total of 4 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Clinton’s overall oil consumption fluctuates each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Clinton was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Clinton County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Clinton County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Clinton homeowners heating with heating oil, picking which of the 4 heating oil companies that serve Clinton 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 pick one of the 7 “full-service” oil companies that serve Clinton. Full service companies such as Leroux Enterprises LLC or Leroux Enterprises LLC offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic 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 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 families who are budget-conscious. 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 you're running low. Examples of 2 Clinton cash heating oil companies serving Clinton include Au Sable Valley Fuel Incorporated Gordon Oil and Church Oil Co Inc.
Clinton Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Clinton: 4 companies .
Average Number of Clinton Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 275831
Clinton Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 houses in Clinton heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Clinton temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Clinton homes depend on heating oil delivery each winter.
7% of Clinton County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Clinton County Households | Clinton County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
24 Clinton Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 664,748,714 gallons of oil delivered to Clinton families the last heating season, the Clinton community depends on its 24 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 Clinton, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Clinton and the surrounding vicinity.
