Rhode Island’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 Rhode Island, the average outside temperature was 7.2° F warmer than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Rhode Island Average Winter Temperature

Heating Season	Average Temperature
Winter 2022 - 2023	44.8° F
Winter 2021 - 2022	37.6° F

Rhode Island Heating Oil Delivery Overview

123,513 households in Rhode Island heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential when Rhode Island thermometers drop as low as 42.5° F each winter.

28% of Rhode Island Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Rhode Island Households	Rhode Island Heating Oil Households
439,442	123,513

49 Rhode Island Oil Companies Go the Distance

With 92 million gallons of heating oil delivered to Rhode Island homeowners during the winter of 2023, the Rhode Island community relies on its 49 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 Rhode Island, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Rhode Island.