Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Bristol Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Bristol, used by 235,913 or 53% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Bristol residents is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The other homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Bristol County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 235,913 | 24,676 | 70,606 | 108,766 | 3,474 | 1,046 | 3,562 |
| 2024 | 239,478 | 21,922 | 63,619 | 113,718 | 3,280 | 896 | 3,236 |
| 2023 | 225,315 | 26,362 | 64,872 | 117,298 | 4,970 | 781 | 2,523 |
| 2022 | 240,848 | 21,720 | 60,798 | 112,289 | 4,812 | 686 | 3,106 |
| 2021 | 232,445 | 20,854 | 50,898 | 127,202 | 4,581 | 482 | 1,870 |
| 2020 | 228,782 | 17,674 | 46,340 | 121,808 | 5,244 | 362 | 2,025 |
| 2019 | 225,120 | 14,493 | 41,783 | 116,413 | 5,906 | 243 | 2,180 |
| 2018 | 226,173 | 11,618 | 41,491 | 117,880 | 4,634 | 313 | 2,687 |
| 2017 | 216,466 | 12,165 | 43,380 | 126,191 | 5,952 | 47 | 2,845 |
| 2016 | 221,544 | 10,488 | 43,722 | 122,343 | 6,219 | 290 | 2,140 |
| 2015 | 216,129 | 11,955 | 43,085 | 124,029 | 7,228 | 0 | 3,101 |
| 2014 | 217,810 | 11,457 | 39,832 | 129,877 | 7,318 | 0 | 2,159 |
| 2013 | 212,545 | 10,035 | 39,215 | 132,486 | 8,547 | 185 | 1,769 |
| 2012 | 208,173 | 10,361 | 38,606 | 144,208 | 7,592 | 204 | 2,165 |
| 2011 | 209,106 | 7,816 | 34,511 | 151,784 | 5,860 | 75 | 1,590 |
| 2010 | 197,703 | 7,793 | 35,706 | 151,847 | 7,084 | 0 | 814 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Bristol
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Bristol. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of families using number two heating oil fell from 129,877 to 108,766, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Bristol
Between 2014 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 11,457 to 24,676, a 115% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 217,810 to 235,913, a 8% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Bristol
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Bristol. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 39,832 to 70,606, a 77% change.
Bristol County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Bristol County homeowners purchased a total of 5 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Bristol’s overall number two heating oil usage varies each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Bristol was 32.1°F, which was 3.9°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Bristol County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 32.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 36° F |
Bristol County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Bristol homeowners heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 44 heating oil companies that serve Bristol makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 37 “full-service” oil companies that serve Bristol. Full service companies such as A-Star Oil LLC or Micheletti Oil Services offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic number two heating 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Some of the 2 Bristol cash heating oil companies serving Bristol include Anthony's Oil LLC and MATHEWS OIL CO.
Bristol Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Heating oil Companies Serving Bristol: 44 companies .
Average Number of Bristol Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 2472
Bristol Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 families in Bristol heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Bristol temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Bristol residences rely on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
12.1% of Bristol County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Bristol County Households | Bristol County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 898,380 | 108,766 |
116 Bristol Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Bristol homes last winter, the Bristol community relies on its 116 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 Bristol, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Bristol and the surrounding region.
