Merrimack 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 Merrimack County, the average outside temperature was 14.7° F warmer than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Merrimack County Average Winter Temperature

Heating Season	Average Temperature
Winter 2022 - 2023	37.9° F
Winter 2021 - 2022	23.2° F

Merrimack County Heating Oil Delivery Overview

20,238 households in Merrimack County heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential when Merrimack County thermometers drop as low as 42.5° F each winter.

35% of Merrimack County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Merrimack County Households	Merrimack County Heating Oil Households
56,519	20,238

233 Merrimack County Oil Companies Go the Distance

With 18 million gallons of heating oil delivered to Merrimack County homeowners during the winter of 2023, the Merrimack County community relies on its 233 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 Merrimack County, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Sprague in So. Portland, ME. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Merrimack County.