Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Caledonia Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Caledonia, used by 99,824 or 35% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Caledonia households is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The other homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Caledonia County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number 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
Number two heating oil has become less popular in Caledonia. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of households using oil decreased from 107,395 to 99,824, a 7% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Caledonia
Between 2017 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 43,339 to 57,954, a 34% change. Comparing 2017 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 47,036 to 55,373, a 18% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Caledonia
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Caledonia. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 14,035 to 36,366, a 159% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Caledonia
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Today, 1,820 homes in Caledonia are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 197% gain from 2017, when 612 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 number two heating oil usage fluctuates annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional fuel 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 homeowners heating with heating 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 value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 2 “full-service” oil companies that serve Caledonia. Full service companies such as Packard Fuels or Packard Fuels offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and boiler 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 homeowner 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 families who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the number two 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 Statistics: Fuel oil Companies Serving Caledonia: 4 companies .
Average Number of Caledonia Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 24956
Caledonia Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 homes in Caledonia heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Caledonia temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Caledonia families rely on 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 Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 92,108,924 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Caledonia houses during this past winter, the Caledonia community relies on its 8 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Caledonia, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the oil to homes and businesses throughout Caledonia and the surrounding vicinity.
