Last year, Kennebec County homeowners purchased a total of 25 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Kennebec County’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 Kennebec County, the average outside temperature was 15.0° F warmer than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Kennebec County Average Winter Temperature
Heating Season | Average Temperature |
---|---|
Winter 2022 - 2023 | 39.5° F |
Winter 2021 - 2022 | 24.5° F |
35,074 households in Kennebec County heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential when Kennebec County thermometers drop as low as 42.5° F each winter.
65% of Kennebec County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
Kennebec County Households | Kennebec County Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
53,456 | 35,074 |
160 Kennebec County Oil Companies Go the Distance
With 25 million gallons of heating oil delivered to Kennebec County homeowners during the winter of 2023, the Kennebec County community relies on its 160 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 Kennebec County, two of the closest terminals are Gulf in So. Portland, ME and Buckeye in Bangor, ME. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Kennebec County.