Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Washington, used by 235,913 or 53% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington households 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
Fuel oil has become decreasing in demand in Washington. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of families using oil dipped from 112,289 to 108,766, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2022 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 21,720 to 24,676, a 14% change. Comparing 2022 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel dropped from 240,848 to 235,913, a 2% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Washington. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 60,798 to 70,606, a 16% 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 flows 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 52% gain from 2022, when 686 homes utilized 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 oil consumption varies yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ furnaces need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. 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 fuel oil, selecting which of the 28 heating oil companies that serve Washington makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 37 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as Energy One or Sunshine Fuels & Energy Service offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer 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 homeowners who are on a budget. 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. Some of the 2 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include JC Tefft Fuel & Propane Inc and Stop & Go Oil Inc.
Washington Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Washington: 28 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 3885
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 houses 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 are reliant 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 Go The Distance
With 91,890,913 gallons of oil delivered to Washington families during this past winter, the Washington community relies on its 204 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: 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 area.
