Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most common choice in Washington, used by 99,824 or 35% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Washington homeowners is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The other homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Washington 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 Washington
Fuel oil has become decreasing in demand in Washington. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of families using heating oil dropped from 111,011 to 99,824, a 10% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2013 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up 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 increased from 42,192 to 55,373, a 31% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 11,779 to 36,366, a 209% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington
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. Now, 1,820 homes in Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 608% gain from 2013, when 257 homes utilized active solar heating.
Washington County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Washington County homeowners purchased a total of 10 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Washington’s overall oil consumption varies from year to year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Washington was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Washington County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Washington County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Washington homes heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 7 heating oil companies that serve Washington is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 18 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as Packard Fuels or Packard Fuels offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Examples of 2 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include Vermont Fuel Efficiency and Patterson Fuels.
Washington Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Washington: 7 companies .
Average Number of Washington Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 14261
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 residences in Washington heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Washington households rely on heating oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Washington County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Washington County Households | Washington County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
77 Washington Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 92,108,924 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Washington homes the last heating season, the Washington community relies on its 77 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 Washington, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Washington and the surrounding region.
