Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Chittenden Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Chittenden, used by 99,824 or 35% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Chittenden 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%).
Chittenden 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 Chittenden
Fuel oil has become losing popularity in Chittenden. In the 10 years since 2015, the number of homeowners using heating oil dipped from 108,532 to 99,824, a 8% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Chittenden
Between 2015 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 40,280 to 57,954, a 44% change. Comparing 2015 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 45,256 to 55,373, a 22% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Chittenden
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Chittenden. Since 2015, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 12,610 to 36,366, a 188% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Chittenden
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. As it stands today, 1,820 homes in Chittenden are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 592% gain from 2015, when 263 homes used active solar heating.
Chittenden County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Chittenden County homeowners purchased a total of 9 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Chittenden’s overall heating oil use varies yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Chittenden was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Chittenden County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Chittenden County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Chittenden homes heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 23 heating oil companies that serve Chittenden is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Chittenden. Full service companies such as or offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating 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: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Some of the 2 Chittenden cash heating oil companies serving Chittenden include Robinson's Inc and All Star Fuels LLC.
Chittenden Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Chittenden: 23 companies .
Average Number of Chittenden Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 4340
Chittenden Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 houses in Chittenden heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Chittenden temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Chittenden families rely on heating oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Chittenden County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Chittenden County Households | Chittenden County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
286 Chittenden Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 92,108,924 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Chittenden families the last heating season, the Chittenden community depends on its 286 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 Chittenden, 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 Chittenden and the surrounding area.
