Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Washington, used by 235,913 or 53% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington residents 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%).
Washington 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 Washington
Heating oil has become less popular in Washington. In the 10 years since 2015, the number of residents using number two heating oil fell from 124,029 to 108,766, a 12% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2015 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 11,955 to 24,676, a 106% change. Comparing 2015 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 216,129 to 235,913, a 9% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2015, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 43,085 to 70,606, a 64% change.
Washington County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Washington County homeowners purchased a total of 17 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Washington’s overall oil use varies each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Washington was 32.1°F, which was 3.9°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Washington County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 32.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 36° F |
Washington County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Washington residences heating with oil, picking which of the 28 heating oil companies that serve Washington is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 37 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as Energy One or Sunshine Fuels & Energy Service offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and furnace 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 homeowner 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 looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include JC Tefft Fuel & Propane Inc and Stop & Go Oil Inc.
Washington Oil Company Statistics: Heating oil Companies Serving Washington: 28 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 3885
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 homes in Washington heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Washington homes depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
12.1% of Washington County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Washington County Households | Washington County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 898,380 | 108,766 |
204 Washington Fuel Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Washington households the last heating season, the Washington community depends on its 204 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 Washington, 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 Washington and the surrounding area.
