Last year, Maine homeowners purchased a total of 247 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Maine’s overall heating oil use varies from year to year, primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more oil to keep homes warm. Last winter in Maine, the average outside temperature was 15.6° F warmer than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Maine Average Winter Temperature
Heating Season | Average Temperature |
---|---|
Winter 2022 - 2023 | 37.2° F |
Winter 2021 - 2022 | 21.6° F |
330,278 households in Maine heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential when Maine thermometers drop as low as 42.5° F each winter.
59% of Maine Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
Maine Households | Maine Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
552,674 | 330,278 |
131 Maine Oil Companies Go the Distance
With 247 million gallons of heating oil delivered to Maine homeowners during the winter of 2023, the Maine community relies on its 131 oil companies to keep warm.
Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal. In the case of Maine, two of the closest terminals are Buckeye in Bangor, ME and Pbt in Brewer, ME. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Maine.