Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Providence Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Providence, used by 235,913 or 53% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Providence families is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The remaining 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
Oil has become losing popularity in Providence. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of households using oil decreased from 127,202 to 108,766, a 14% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Providence
Between 2021 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 20,854 to 24,676, a 18% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 232,445 to 235,913, a 1% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Providence
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Providence. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 50,898 to 70,606, a 39% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Providence
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, 1,046 homes in Providence are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 117% gain from 2021, when 482 homes had 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 number two heating oil consumption fluctuates annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn increasing amounts of oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 homes heating with oil, selecting 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 choose 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 homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system 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 household 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 budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Examples of 2 Providence cash heating oil companies serving Providence include Anthony's Oil LLC and TH Malloy.
Providence Fuel Oil Company Statistics: Fuel oil Companies Serving Providence: 48 companies .
Average Number of Providence Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 2266
Providence Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 houses in Providence heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Providence temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Providence residences depend on fuel 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 Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 91,890,913 gallons of heating oil delivered to Providence residences last winter, the Providence community relies on its 1004 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 residences and companies throughout Providence and the surrounding area.
