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Hadley, MA Hampden, MA Hatfield, MA Haydenville, MA Heath, MA Hinsdale, MA Holland, MA Holyoke, MA Housatonic, MA Huntington, MAL
Lake Pleasant, MA Lanesborough, MA Lee, MA Leeds, MA Lenox, MA Lenox Dale, MA Leverett, MA Longmeadow, MA Ludlow, MACheapest Western Mass Heating Oil Price Trends
| Time Horizon | Price Change |
|---|---|
| 1 Week Trend | -$0.110 |
| 1 Month Trend | +$1.270 |
| 1 Year Trend | +$1.831 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Western Mass Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Western Mass, used by 139,447 or 42% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Western Mass residents is Heating Oil, used by 85,981 homes (26%). The rest of the homes are heated with Electricity (19%), Propane (7%), Wood (3%), and Other (2%).
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Western Mass
Number two heating oil has become losing popularity in Western Mass. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of homeowners using heating oil decreased from 110,118 to 85,981, a 22% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Western Mass
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 13,843 to 22,506, a 63% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 123,771 to 139,447, a 13% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Western Mass
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Western Mass. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 47,300 to 63,456, a 34% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Western Mass
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Currently, 1,435 homes in Western Mass are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 932% gain from 2013, when 139 homes had active solar heating.
Western Mass Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Western Mass families heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 85 heating oil companies that serve Western Mass makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 37 “full-service” oil companies that serve Western Mass. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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: Often called “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 number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 0 Western Mass cash heating oil companies serving Western Mass include and .
Western Mass Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Western Mass: 85 companies .
Average Number of Western Mass Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 1012
Western Mass Heating Oil Delivery Overview
85,981 families in Western Mass heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Western Mass temperatures drop as low as 24.3° F each winter. 26% of Western Mass households are reliant on oil delivery each winter.
26% of Western Mass Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Western Mass Households | Western Mass Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 331,057 | 85,981 |
85 Western Mass Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 79,260,837 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Western Mass families the last heating season, the Western Mass community looks to its 85 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery has two parts to it: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Western Mass, two of the closest terminals are Sprague W in Springfield, MA and Buckeye in Springfield, MA. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Western Mass and the surrounding vicinity.
