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Rhode Island Heating Oil Price Trends

Updated on November 14, 2025 at 04:30 PM

Time HorizonPrice Change
1 Day Trend +$0.002
1 Week Trend +$0.075
1 Month Trend +$0.152
1 Year Trend +$0.071

Rhode Island Heating Oil Price History

Updated on November 14, 2025 at 04:30 PM

DatePrice
11/14/2025 $3.181
11/13/2025 $3.179
11/12/2025 $3.186
11/11/2025 $3.147
11/10/2025 $3.141
11/07/2025 $3.140
11/06/2025 $3.106
11/05/2025 $3.081
11/04/2025 $3.064
11/03/2025 $3.089
10/31/2025 $3.088
10/30/2025 $3.084
10/29/2025 $3.090
10/28/2025 $3.068
10/27/2025 $3.034
10/24/2025 $3.031
10/23/2025 $3.005
10/22/2025 $3.007
10/21/2025 $2.987
10/20/2025 $2.987
10/17/2025 $2.987
10/16/2025 $2.994
10/15/2025 $3.021
10/14/2025 $3.029
10/13/2025 $3.015
10/10/2025 $2.996
10/09/2025 $2.983
10/08/2025 $3.336
10/07/2025 $3.336
10/06/2025 $3.336

Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Rhode Island Home Heating Fuel Comparison

Homes have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Rhode Island, used by 238742 or 54 % of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Rhode Island residents is Heating Oil, used by 123813 homes (28 %). The rest of the homes are heated with Electricity (11), Propane (5), Wood (1), and Solar (0).

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Rhode Island

Oil has become more popular in Rhode Island. In the 4 years since 2018, the number of homeowners using oil surged from 125460 to 123813, a 1 % gain.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Rhode Island

Between 2018 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 11935 to 20429, a 71 % change. Comparing 2018 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 220693 to 238742, a 8 % change.

Electricity use for home heating in Rhode Island

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are becoming more popular in Rhode Island. Since 2018, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 42130 to 48633, a 15 % change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Rhode Island

Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Today, 368 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 283 % regression from 2018, when 96 homes incorporated active solar heating.

Rhode Island Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Rhode Island homeowners purchased a total of 92 million gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Rhode Island’s overall number two heating oil usage fluctuates, correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Rhode Island was 35°F, which was 3°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Rhode Island Average Winter Temperature

Heating SeasonAverage Temperature
2024 - 202535.8° F
2023 - 202437.6° F

Rhode Island Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Rhode Island residences heating with heating oil, picking which of the 51 heating oil companies that serve Rhode Island makes a big difference.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 14 “full-service” oil companies that serve Rhode Island. Full service companies such as Dudek Oil or Wildcat Oil Co offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer 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 looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Rhode Island cash heating oil companies serving Rhode Island include Helger's United Oil Co Inc and Anchor Fuel Oil Inc. Rhode Island Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers Oil Companies Serving Rhode Island: 51 companies

Rhode Island Heating Oil Delivery Overview

123,813 residences in Rhode Island heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Rhode Island temperatures drop as low as 35° F each winter. 28 of Rhode Island houses depend on fuel oil each winter. 19 Rhode Island Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community With 61,906,500 gallons of oil delivered to Rhode Island families last winter, the Rhode Island community relies on its 19 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Rhode Island, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the oil to homes and businesses throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding area.

28% of Rhode Island Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Rhode Island HouseholdsRhode Island Heating Oil Households
439,968123,813

51 Rhode Island Oil Companies Go the Distance

With 92 million gallons of heating oil delivered to Rhode Island homeowners during the winter of 2024, the Rhode Island community relies on its 51 oil companies to keep warm.

Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal. In the case of Rhode Island, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Providence, RI and Sprague in E. Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Rhode Island.