Cheapest Rhode Island Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Day Trend | +$0.039 |
| 1 Week Trend | +$0.339 |
| 1 Month Trend | +$0.949 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Rhode Island Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host 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 homeowners. 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
Number two heating oil has become losing popularity in Rhode Island. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of homeowners using fuel oil fell from 112,289 to 108,766, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Rhode Island
Between 2022 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 21,720 to 24,676, a 14% change. Comparing 2022 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel declined from 240,848 to 235,913, a 2% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Rhode Island
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Rhode Island. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 60,798 to 70,606, a 16% 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. As it stands today, 1,046 homes in Rhode Island are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 52% gain from 2022, when 686 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Rhode Island Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Rhode Island homeowners heating with fuel oil, choosing which of the 54 heating oil companies that serve Rhode Island is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford 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 homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace 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 homeowner 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 households who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 0 Rhode Island cash heating oil companies serving Rhode Island include and .
Rhode Island Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Rhode Island: 54 companies .
Average Number of Rhode Island Households Served per Heating Oil company : 2014
Rhode Island Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 households 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 homes depend on 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 Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Rhode Island households the last heating season, the Rhode Island community looks to 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.
