Penobscot 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 Penobscot County, the average outside temperature was 15.0° F warmer than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Penobscot County Average Winter Temperature

Heating Season	Average Temperature
Winter 2022 - 2023	39.5° F
Winter 2021 - 2022	24.5° F

Penobscot County Heating Oil Delivery Overview

29,259 households in Penobscot County heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential when Penobscot County thermometers drop as low as 42.5° F each winter.

56% of Penobscot County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Penobscot County Households	Penobscot County Heating Oil Households
52,037	29,259

227 Penobscot County Oil Companies Go the Distance

With 21 million gallons of heating oil delivered to Penobscot County homeowners during the winter of 2023, the Penobscot County community relies on its 227 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 Penobscot County, 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 Penobscot County.