Cheapest Rhode Island Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Week Trend | -$0.300 |
| 1 Month Trend | +$1.260 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$1.700 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Rhode Island Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Rhode Island, used by 235,913 or 53% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Rhode Island residents is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The remaining homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Rhode Island
Oil has become losing popularity in Rhode Island. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of residents using oil fell from 144,208 to 108,766, a 25% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Rhode Island
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 10,361 to 24,676, a 138% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 208,173 to 235,913, a 13% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Rhode Island
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Rhode Island. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 38,606 to 70,606, a 83% 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. As it stands today, 1,046 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 413% gain from 2012, when 204 homes used active solar heating.
Rhode Island Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Rhode Island families heating with oil, picking which of the 54 heating oil companies that serve Rhode Island is an important decision.
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 15 “full-service” oil companies that serve Rhode Island. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The household does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the 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 0 Rhode Island cash heating oil companies serving Rhode Island include and .
Rhode Island Fuel Oil Company Statistics: 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 residences in Rhode Island heat their homes with 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 families are reliant on 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 Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Rhode Island homes the last heating season, the Rhode Island community relies on its 54 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding region.
