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 most popular choice in Kent, used by 235,913 or 53% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Kent homeowners is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The rest of the 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
Oil has become less frequently used in Kent. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of homeowners using heating oil decreased from 112,289 to 108,766, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Kent
Between 2022 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose 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 Kent
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Kent. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 60,798 to 70,606, a 16% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Kent
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. Currently, 1,046 homes in Kent are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 52% gain from 2022, when 686 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 number two heating oil consumption changes annually primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ heating systems need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 residences heating with fuel oil, choosing which of the 46 heating oil companies that serve Kent is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose 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 homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The family 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 families who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Examples of 2 Kent cash heating oil companies serving Kent include Anthony's Oil LLC and MATHEWS OIL CO.
Kent Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Kent: 46 companies .
Average Number of Kent Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 2364
Kent Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 families in Kent heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Kent temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Kent households depend on heating 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 Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 91,890,913 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Kent homeowners the last heating season, the Kent community depends on its 182 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Kent, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the oil to homes and businesses throughout Kent and the surrounding vicinity.
