Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Putnam Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Putnam, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Putnam homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,365,710 homes (18%). The other homes are heated with Heating Oil (14%), Propane (5%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Putnam 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 Putnam
Oil has become less popular in Putnam. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of households using number two heating oil fell from 1,901,118 to 1,103,323, a 42% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Putnam
Between 2012 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 237,738 to 377,922, a 59% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 4,044,389 to 4,725,574, a 17% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Putnam
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Putnam. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 775,390 to 1,365,710, a 76% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Putnam
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. Currently, 16,434 homes in Putnam are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 658% gain from 2012, when 2,168 homes had active solar heating.
Putnam County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Putnam County homeowners purchased a total of 10 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Putnam’s overall oil usage varies from year to year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more number two heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Putnam was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Putnam County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Putnam County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Putnam homeowners heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 72 heating oil companies that serve Putnam is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 246 “full-service” oil companies that serve Putnam. Full service companies such as Action Fuel Oil Corp or People's Oil offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The homeowner 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 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 Putnam cash heating oil companies serving Putnam include Outlaw Oil LLC and Prestige Oil Inc.
Putnam Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Putnam: 72 companies .
Average Number of Putnam Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 15324
Putnam Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 households in Putnam heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Putnam temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Putnam households rely on fuel oil delivery each winter.
7% of Putnam County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Putnam County Households | Putnam County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
401 Putnam Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 664,748,714 gallons of heating oil delivered to Putnam residences the last heating season, the Putnam community looks to its 401 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Putnam, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the oil to residences and companies throughout Putnam and the surrounding area.
