Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Providence Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Providence, used by 235,913 or 53% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Providence 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%).
Providence 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 Providence
Number two heating oil has become losing popularity in Providence. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of residents using number two heating oil fell from 117,298 to 108,766, a 7% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Providence
Between 2023 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel decreased from 26,362 to 24,676, a 6% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 225,315 to 235,913, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Providence
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Providence. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 64,872 to 70,606, a 9% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Providence
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid flows 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 Providence are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 34% gain from 2023, when 781 homes utilized active solar heating.
Providence County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Providence County homeowners purchased a total of 42 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Providence’s overall heating oil use varies annually as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Providence was 32.1°F, which was 3.9°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Providence County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 32.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 36° F |
Providence County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Providence residences heating with fuel oil, choosing which of the 48 heating oil companies that serve Providence can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 315 “full-service” oil companies that serve Providence. 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 boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The client 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 homeowners who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Some of the 2 Providence cash heating oil companies serving Providence include Anthony's Oil LLC and TH Malloy.
Providence Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Providence: 48 companies .
Average Number of Providence Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 2266
Providence Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 families in Providence heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Providence temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Providence families depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
12.1% of Providence County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Providence County Households | Providence County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 898,380 | 108,766 |
1004 Providence Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 91,890,913 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Providence houses the last heating season, the Providence community relies on its 1004 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 Providence, 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 Providence and the surrounding area.
