Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most popular choice in Washington, used by 99,824 or 35% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington families 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%).

Washington 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 Washington

Heating oil has become losing popularity in Washington. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of households using oil dropped from 102,091 to 99,824, a 2% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington

Between 2023 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped 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 rose from 48,131 to 55,373, a 15% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Washington

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 27,940 to 36,366, a 30% 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 9% gain from 2023, when 1,670 homes had 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 based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 residences heating with oil, choosing which of the 7 heating oil companies that serve Washington plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose 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 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 customer 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 customers who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the 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 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include Vermont Fuel Efficiency and Patterson Fuels.

Washington Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Washington: 7 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 14261

Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview

99,824 families 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 homes 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 Fuel Oil Companies Serving The Community

With 92,108,924 gallons of oil delivered to Washington households during this past winter, the Washington community relies on its 77 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Washington, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Washington and the surrounding area.

Heating Oil Near You In These Adjacent Counties

Addison County, VT

Caledonia County, VT

Chittenden County, VT