Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Kent Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Kent, used by 235,913 or 53% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Kent families is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The other homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Kent County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 235,913 | 24,676 | 70,606 | 108,766 | 3,474 | 1,046 | 3,562 |
| 2024 | 239,478 | 21,922 | 63,619 | 113,718 | 3,280 | 896 | 3,236 |
| 2023 | 225,315 | 26,362 | 64,872 | 117,298 | 4,970 | 781 | 2,523 |
| 2022 | 240,848 | 21,720 | 60,798 | 112,289 | 4,812 | 686 | 3,106 |
| 2021 | 232,445 | 20,854 | 50,898 | 127,202 | 4,581 | 482 | 1,870 |
| 2020 | 228,782 | 17,674 | 46,340 | 121,808 | 5,244 | 362 | 2,025 |
| 2019 | 225,120 | 14,493 | 41,783 | 116,413 | 5,906 | 243 | 2,180 |
| 2018 | 226,173 | 11,618 | 41,491 | 117,880 | 4,634 | 313 | 2,687 |
| 2017 | 216,466 | 12,165 | 43,380 | 126,191 | 5,952 | 47 | 2,845 |
| 2016 | 221,544 | 10,488 | 43,722 | 122,343 | 6,219 | 290 | 2,140 |
| 2015 | 216,129 | 11,955 | 43,085 | 124,029 | 7,228 | 0 | 3,101 |
| 2014 | 217,810 | 11,457 | 39,832 | 129,877 | 7,318 | 0 | 2,159 |
| 2013 | 212,545 | 10,035 | 39,215 | 132,486 | 8,547 | 185 | 1,769 |
| 2012 | 208,173 | 10,361 | 38,606 | 144,208 | 7,592 | 204 | 2,165 |
| 2011 | 209,106 | 7,816 | 34,511 | 151,784 | 5,860 | 75 | 1,590 |
| 2010 | 197,703 | 7,793 | 35,706 | 151,847 | 7,084 | 0 | 814 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Kent
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Kent. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of residents using number two heating oil dropped from 132,486 to 108,766, a 18% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Kent
Between 2013 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 10,035 to 24,676, a 146% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 212,545 to 235,913, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Kent
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Kent. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 39,215 to 70,606, a 80% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Kent
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. Today, 1,046 homes in Kent are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 465% gain from 2013, when 185 homes had active solar heating.
Kent County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Kent County homeowners purchased a total of 17 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Kent’s overall oil usage varies each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ furnaces need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Kent was 32.1°F, which was 3.9°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Kent County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 32.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 36° F |
Kent County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Kent households heating with heating oil, picking which of the 46 heating oil companies that serve Kent can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 51 “full-service” oil companies that serve Kent. Full service companies such as A-Star Oil LLC or Micheletti Oil Services offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are looking to save money. 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. Some of the 2 Kent cash heating oil companies serving Kent include Anthony's Oil LLC and MATHEWS OIL CO.
Kent Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Kent: 46 companies .
Average Number of Kent Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 2364
Kent Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 residences in Kent heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Kent temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Kent families are reliant on oil delivery each winter.
12.1% of Kent County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Kent County Households | Kent County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 898,380 | 108,766 |
182 Kent Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 91,890,913 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Kent households the last heating season, the Kent community depends on its 182 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Kent, 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 Kent and the surrounding area.
