Homes have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Washington, used by 235,913 or 53% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington 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%).

Washington 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 Washington

Heating oil has become losing popularity in Washington. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of families using number two heating oil fell from 127,202 to 108,766, a 14% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington

Between 2021 and today, the number of houses 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 Washington

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Washington. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 50,898 to 70,606, a 39% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington

Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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. As it stands today, 1,046 homes in Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 117% gain from 2021, when 482 homes incorporated active solar heating.

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 heating oil use changes annually as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more 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 homeowners heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 29 heating oil companies that serve Washington can drastically impact the cost of home heating.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 58 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as A-Star Oil LLC or Energy One offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two 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 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 households who are on a budget. 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 when you're running low. Some of the 2 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include JC Tefft Fuel & Propane Inc and Stop & Go Oil Inc.

Washington Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Washington: 29 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 3751

Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview

108,766 houses in Washington heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Washington houses rely 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

225 Washington Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On

With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Washington residences during this past winter, the Washington community looks to its 225 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 residences and companies throughout Washington and the surrounding region.

Heating Oil Near You In These Adjacent Counties

Bristol County, RI

Kent County, RI

Newport County, RI

Providence County, RI