Homeowners have a variety of home heating fuels to choose from. Natural gas is the most popular choice in South Shore Massachusetts, used by 254,682 or 51.79% of homes. The 2nd most popular choice for South Shore Massachusetts homeowners is heating oil, used by 136,386 homes (27.74%). The remaining homes are heated with electricity (73,539), propane (22,139), wood (3,474), and other fuels (6,255).
South Shore Massachusetts Primary Home Heating Fuel Popularity by Number of Households
Fuel | South Shore Massachusetts Households | % of Households |
---|---|---|
Natural Gas | 254,682 | 51.79% |
Heating Oil | 136,386 | 27.74% |
Electricity | 73,539 | 14.96% |
Propane | 22,139 | 4.50% |
Wood | 3,474 | 0.71% |
Other Fuels | 3,237 | 0.66% |
No Fuel | 2,265 | 0.46% |
Solar | 537 | 0.11% |
Coal | 216 | 0.04% |
Natural gas (51.79)
Heating oil (27.74)
Electricity (14.96)
Propane (4.50)
Wood (0.71)
Other fuels (0.66)
No fuel (0.46)
Solar (0.11)
Coal (0.04)
Heating oil has become less popular in South Shore Massachusetts. In the 4 years since 2018, the number of heating oil homes fell from 139,070 to 136,386, a 1.93% drop.
South Shore Massachusetts Heating Oil Households (2011 - 2022)
Year | Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
2011 | 168,032 |
2012 | 165,720 |
2013 | 161,173 |
2014 | 156,012 |
2015 | 151,703 |
2016 | 145,690 |
2017 | 143,331 |
2018 | 139,070 |
2019 | 135,342 |
2020 | 134,821 |
2021 | 135,307 |
2022 | 136,386 |
Between 2018 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 15,020 to 22,139.
Between 2018 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 227,286 to 254,682.
Electric space heating systems are becoming more popular in South Shore Massachusetts. Since 2018, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 61,388 to 73,539, a 19.79% increase.
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all space heating fuels. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid is circulated between solar panels on a home’s roof and a heat energy storage tank in the basement.
Currently, 537 homes in South Shore Massachusetts are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 48.34% increase from 2018, when only 362 homes had installed active solar heating.
Short Term Trends
Heating Season | Average Temperature |
---|---|
Winter 2022 - 2023 | 42.7° F |
Winter 2021 - 2022 | 37.4° F |
For South Shore Massachusetts homeowners heating with oil, selecting which of the 513 heating oil companies that serve South Shore Massachusetts is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 130 “full-service” oil companies that serve South Shore Massachusetts. Full service companies such as A Hohmann & Co Inc or Albert Culver Co offer automatic fuel delivery and furnace repair under a single roof.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel Companies” or “Cash Heating Oil Companies”, these companies are for the budget-conscious South Shore Massachusetts homeowner. In return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank and place an order when you run low on oil. Examples of cash heating oil companies that serve South Shore Massachusetts include Community Oil Company and TLC Companies Inc.
South Shore Massachusetts Heating Oil Company Fast Facts
Heating Oil Companies Serving South Shore Massachusetts: 513 companies
Average Number Of South Shore Massachusetts Homes Served Per Company: 265 homes