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Rhode Island Heating Oil Price Trends

Updated on December 12, 2025 at 01:15 PM

Time HorizonPrice Change
1 Day Trend -$0.030
1 Week Trend -$0.030
1 Month Trend -$0.077
1 Year Trend +$0.237

Rhode Island Heating Oil Price History

Updated on December 12, 2025 at 01:15 PM

DatePrice
12/11/2025 $2.920
12/10/2025 $2.950
12/09/2025 $2.950
12/08/2025 $3.000
12/07/2025 $2.990
12/04/2025 $2.989
12/03/2025 $2.950
12/02/2025 $2.950
12/01/2025 $2.950
11/30/2025 $2.950
11/27/2025 $2.970
11/26/2025 $2.970
11/25/2025 $2.970
11/24/2025 $3.039
11/23/2025 $3.050
11/20/2025 $3.050
11/19/2025 $3.050
11/18/2025 $3.050
11/17/2025 $2.990
11/16/2025 $2.950
11/13/2025 $2.950
11/12/2025 $2.950
11/11/2025 $2.950
11/10/2025 $2.900
11/09/2025 $2.900
11/06/2025 $2.880
11/05/2025 $2.880
11/04/2025 $2.800
11/03/2025 $2.800
11/02/2025 $2.800

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

Households 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 263,429 or 59% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Rhode Island households is Heating Oil, used by 97,316 homes (22%). The other homes are heated with Electricity (14%), Propane (4%), Wood (1%), and Other (1%).

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Rhode Island

Oil has become losing popularity in Rhode Island. In the 7 years since 2018, the number of families using heating oil declined from 124,089 to 97,316, a 22% drop.

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

Between 2018 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 12,124 to 16,239, a 34% change. Comparing 2018 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 221,297 to 263,429, a 19% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Rhode Island

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Rhode Island. Since 2018, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 42,514 to 64,354, a 51% 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 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, 208 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 76% gain from 2018, when 118 homes had active solar heating.

Rhode Island Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Rhode Island households heating with heating oil, selecting which of the 51 heating oil companies that serve Rhode Island is an important decision.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value 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 homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for families who are on a budget. 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. Examples of 2 Rhode Island cash heating oil companies serving Rhode Island include Helger's United Oil Co and Anchor Fuel Oil Inc.

Rhode Island Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Rhode Island: 51 companies .

Average Number of Rhode Island Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 123813

Rhode Island Heating Oil Delivery Overview

1,165,276 houses in Rhode Island heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Rhode Island temperatures drop as low as 32° F each winter. 22% of Rhode Island homes are reliant on heating oil delivery each winter.

21% of Rhode Island Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Rhode Island HouseholdsRhode Island Heating Oil Households
449,77297,316

51 Rhode Island Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On

With 91,890,913.275 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Rhode Island families last winter, the Rhode Island community relies on its 51 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Rhode Island and the surrounding vicinity.