Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Grand Isle Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Grand Isle, used by 99,824 or 35% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Grand Isle households is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The rest of the homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle
Number two heating oil has become less popular in Grand Isle. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of families using oil decreased from 102,091 to 99,824, a 2% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Grand Isle
Between 2023 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 54,853 to 57,954, a 6% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 48,131 to 55,373, a 15% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Grand Isle
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Grand Isle. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 27,940 to 36,366, a 30% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Grand Isle
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 Grand Isle are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 9% gain from 2023, when 1,670 homes incorporated 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 oil usage varies yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 homes heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 16 heating oil companies that serve Grand Isle plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Grand Isle. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating 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 households who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. A few of the 2 Grand Isle cash heating oil companies serving Grand Isle include Robinson's Inc and Liberty's Fuel Oil LLC.
Grand Isle Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Grand Isle: 16 companies .
Average Number of Grand Isle Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 6239
Grand Isle Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 households in Grand Isle heat their homes with fuel 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 households depend on fuel 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 92,108,924 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Grand Isle families last winter, the Grand Isle community relies 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 #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Grand Isle and the surrounding area.
