Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Grand Isle Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the preferred choice in Grand Isle, used by 99,824 or 35% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Grand Isle households is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The remaining homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Grand Isle. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of residents using oil declined from 111,011 to 99,824, a 10% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Grand Isle
Between 2013 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 38,339 to 57,954, a 51% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 42,192 to 55,373, a 31% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Grand Isle
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Grand Isle. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 11,779 to 36,366, a 209% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Grand Isle
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. Today, 1,820 homes in Grand Isle are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 608% gain from 2013, when 257 homes utilized active solar heating.
Grand Isle County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Grand Isle County homeowners purchased a total of 693,582 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Grand Isle’s overall fuel oil usage fluctuates from year to year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Grand Isle was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Grand Isle County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Grand Isle County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Grand Isle homeowners heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 16 heating oil companies that serve Grand Isle 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 pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Grand Isle. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The client 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 on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Some of the 2 Grand Isle cash heating oil companies serving Grand Isle include Robinson's Inc and Liberty's Fuel Oil LLC.
Grand Isle Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Grand Isle: 16 companies .
Average Number of Grand Isle Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 6239
Grand Isle Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 residences in Grand Isle heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Grand Isle temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Grand Isle families depend on oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Grand Isle County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Grand Isle County Households | Grand Isle County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
28 Grand Isle Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 92,108,924 gallons of heating oil delivered to Grand Isle houses the last heating season, the Grand Isle community depends on its 28 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Grand Isle, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the oil to residences and companies throughout Grand Isle and the surrounding vicinity.
