Cheapest Rhode Island Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Day Trend | -$0.090 |
| 1 Week Trend | -$0.179 |
| 1 Month Trend | -$0.440 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$1.380 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Rhode Island Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Rhode Island, used by 235,913 or 53% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Rhode Island households is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The rest of the homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Rhode Island
Number two heating oil has become less popular in Rhode Island. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of families using oil dipped from 121,808 to 108,766, a 11% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Rhode Island
Between 2020 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 17,674 to 24,676, a 40% change. Comparing 2020 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 228,782 to 235,913, a 3% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Rhode Island
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Rhode Island. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 46,340 to 70,606, a 52% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Rhode Island
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. Today, 1,046 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 189% gain from 2020, when 362 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Rhode Island Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Rhode Island homeowners heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 54 heating oil companies that serve Rhode Island can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 16 “full-service” oil companies that serve Rhode Island. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. A few of the 0 Rhode Island cash heating oil companies serving Rhode Island include and .
Rhode Island Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Rhode Island: 54 companies .
Average Number of Rhode Island Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 2014
Rhode Island Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 households in Rhode Island heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Rhode Island temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Rhode Island houses depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
24.3% of Rhode Island Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Rhode Island Households | Rhode Island Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 448,157 | 108,766 |
54 Rhode Island Number Two Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 91,890,913 gallons of heating oil delivered to Rhode Island homes during this past winter, the Rhode Island community relies on its 54 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 Rhode Island, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding area.
