Cheapest Rhode Island Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Week Trend | +$0.400 |
| 1 Month Trend | +$0.859 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$0.910 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Rhode Island Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Rhode Island, used by 235,913 or 53% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Rhode Island homeowners is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The other homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Rhode Island
Heating oil has become less popular in Rhode Island. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of homeowners using heating oil declined from 117,298 to 108,766, a 7% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Rhode Island
Between 2023 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel dipped from 26,362 to 24,676, a 6% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 225,315 to 235,913, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Rhode Island
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Rhode Island. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 64,872 to 70,606, a 9% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Rhode Island
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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, 1,046 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 34% gain from 2023, when 781 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Rhode Island Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Rhode Island residences heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 54 heating oil companies that serve Rhode Island plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 15 “full-service” oil companies that serve Rhode Island. Full service companies such as Dudek Oil or Wildcat Oil Co offer homeowners 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 customer 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 homeowners who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 2 Rhode Island cash heating oil companies serving Rhode Island include Helger's United Oil Co and Anchor Fuel Oil Inc.
Rhode Island Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Rhode Island: 54 companies .
Average Number of Rhode Island Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 2014
Rhode Island Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 households 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 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Rhode Island homes rely on number two heating 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 Go The Distance
With 91,890,913 gallons of oil delivered to Rhode Island families during this past winter, the Rhode Island community depends on its 54 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery is a two step process: 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 number two heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding area.
