Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Washington, used by 235,913 or 53% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington 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%).
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
Fuel oil has become decreasing in demand in Washington. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of families using fuel oil dropped from 113,718 to 108,766, a 4% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2024 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 21,922 to 24,676, a 13% change. Comparing 2024 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel dipped from 239,478 to 235,913, a 1% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 63,619 to 70,606, a 11% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Now, 1,046 homes in Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 17% gain from 2024, when 896 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 each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional number two 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 number two heating oil, selecting which of the 29 heating oil companies that serve Washington plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value 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 clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating 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 Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Washington: 29 companies .
Average Number of Washington Households Served per Heating Oil company : 3751
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 families in Washington heat their homes with 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 number two heating 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 Fuel Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 91,890,913 gallons of heating oil delivered to Washington houses last winter, the Washington community relies on its 225 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 #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Washington and the surrounding vicinity.
