Homeowners have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Providence, used by 235,913 or 53% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Providence residents 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 (No. 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 less popular in Providence. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of families using oil dipped 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 houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel dipped 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 rose 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 prevalent in Providence. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity grew 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 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 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 fuel oil use changes each year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ furnaces 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 makes a big difference.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 284 “full-service” oil companies that serve Providence. Full service companies such as Micheletti Oil Services or Reichert & Sons Fuel Oil offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and heating system 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 family 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 families who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the number two heating 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 Providence cash heating oil companies serving Providence include Anthony's Oil LLC and A-Star Oil LLC.

Providence Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Providence: 48 companies .
Average Number of Providence Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 2266

Providence Heating Oil Delivery Overview

108,766 homes 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 households rely 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

998 Providence Number Two Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community

With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Providence houses during this past winter, the Providence community relies on its 998 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 fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Providence and the surrounding region.

Heating Oil Near You In These Adjacent Counties

Bristol County, RI

Kent County, RI

Newport County, RI

Washington County, RI