Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Caledonia Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the preferred choice in Caledonia, used by 99,824 or 35% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Caledonia homeowners is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The remaining homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Caledonia County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 55,373 | 57,954 | 36,366 | 99,824 | 33,030 | 1,820 | 4,366 |
| 2024 | 56,646 | 56,523 | 33,651 | 101,281 | 30,344 | 1,660 | 4,241 |
| 2023 | 48,131 | 54,853 | 27,940 | 102,091 | 38,497 | 1,670 | 4,784 |
| 2022 | 50,240 | 51,520 | 24,105 | 105,894 | 36,184 | 1,106 | 6,886 |
| 2021 | 50,677 | 51,992 | 22,510 | 105,005 | 33,125 | 1,349 | 4,533 |
| 2020 | 49,752 | 50,131 | 19,616 | 106,832 | 33,799 | 948 | 4,630 |
| 2019 | 48,826 | 48,270 | 16,723 | 108,658 | 34,473 | 547 | 4,727 |
| 2018 | 47,328 | 44,423 | 14,122 | 108,961 | 40,731 | 819 | 3,930 |
| 2017 | 47,036 | 43,339 | 14,035 | 107,395 | 38,840 | 612 | 3,997 |
| 2016 | 46,388 | 42,621 | 14,097 | 106,498 | 39,455 | 571 | 3,822 |
| 2015 | 45,256 | 40,280 | 12,610 | 108,532 | 42,271 | 263 | 4,298 |
| 2014 | 43,091 | 38,116 | 11,250 | 115,387 | 43,828 | 179 | 4,258 |
| 2013 | 42,192 | 38,339 | 11,779 | 111,011 | 44,411 | 257 | 3,630 |
| 2012 | 41,601 | 38,497 | 12,532 | 114,708 | 46,051 | 206 | 3,749 |
| 2011 | 39,163 | 39,551 | 10,855 | 122,786 | 41,261 | 98 | 2,834 |
| 2010 | 41,357 | 35,529 | 13,667 | 122,832 | 38,777 | 122 | 3,182 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Caledonia
Fuel oil has become losing popularity in Caledonia. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil dropped from 114,708 to 99,824, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Caledonia
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 38,497 to 57,954, a 51% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 41,601 to 55,373, a 33% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Caledonia
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Caledonia. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 12,532 to 36,366, a 190% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Caledonia
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. Now, 1,820 homes in Caledonia are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 783% gain from 2012, when 206 homes utilized active solar heating.
Caledonia County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Caledonia County homeowners purchased a total of 241,098 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Caledonia’s overall fuel oil consumption changes each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn additional number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Caledonia was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Caledonia County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Caledonia County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Caledonia homes heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 4 heating oil companies that serve Caledonia plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 2 “full-service” oil companies that serve Caledonia. Full service companies such as Packard Fuels or Packard Fuels offer customers 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 oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The household 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 budget-conscious. 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 Caledonia cash heating oil companies serving Caledonia include Vermont Fuel Efficiency and Packard Fuels LLC.
Caledonia Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Caledonia: 4 companies .
Average Number of Caledonia Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 24956
Caledonia Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 houses in Caledonia heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Caledonia temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Caledonia houses depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Caledonia County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Caledonia County Households | Caledonia County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
8 Caledonia Fuel Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 92,108,924 gallons of oil delivered to Caledonia households the last heating season, the Caledonia community depends on its 8 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 Caledonia, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Caledonia and the surrounding area.
