Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Belknap Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the preferred choice in Belknap, used by 212,831 or 37% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Belknap homeowners is Natural Gas, used by 124,974 homes (22%). The rest of the homes are heated with Propane (21%), Electricity (12%), Wood (6%), and Other (2%).
Belknap County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 126,732 | 125,939 | 73,211 | 209,287 | 31,664 | 2,712 | 12,560 |
| 2025 | 124,974 | 121,512 | 70,926 | 212,831 | 32,268 | 2,474 | 11,835 |
| 2024 | 126,691 | 116,162 | 68,090 | 211,416 | 29,746 | 2,147 | 11,751 |
| 2023 | 118,533 | 112,909 | 64,436 | 221,554 | 35,424 | 1,544 | 10,170 |
| 2022 | 121,267 | 103,967 | 61,455 | 223,612 | 30,964 | 909 | 10,992 |
| 2021 | 121,966 | 102,208 | 58,765 | 218,724 | 30,381 | 890 | 10,002 |
| 2020 | 118,607 | 98,116 | 56,313 | 223,224 | 32,446 | 761 | 9,755 |
| 2019 | 115,248 | 94,024 | 53,861 | 227,725 | 34,512 | 632 | 9,508 |
| 2018 | 113,986 | 86,695 | 50,260 | 232,152 | 35,632 | 411 | 8,224 |
| 2017 | 111,070 | 90,341 | 47,927 | 227,681 | 37,912 | 575 | 8,850 |
| 2016 | 110,428 | 81,949 | 48,677 | 229,187 | 35,047 | 666 | 9,880 |
| 2015 | 103,292 | 78,670 | 46,002 | 232,674 | 42,472 | 488 | 10,268 |
| 2014 | 100,601 | 76,212 | 46,268 | 230,361 | 49,555 | 275 | 10,068 |
| 2013 | 101,529 | 76,485 | 42,038 | 239,542 | 44,711 | 334 | 9,251 |
| 2012 | 104,858 | 72,091 | 39,257 | 245,324 | 43,948 | 593 | 7,870 |
| 2011 | 100,958 | 74,416 | 40,613 | 252,159 | 37,084 | 280 | 7,019 |
| 2010 | 100,857 | 70,863 | 41,909 | 253,772 | 40,272 | 85 | 4,752 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Belknap
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Belknap. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil declined from 221,554 to 212,831, a 4% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Belknap
Between 2023 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 112,909 to 121,512, a 8% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 118,533 to 124,974, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Belknap
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Belknap. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 64,436 to 70,926, a 10% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Belknap
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid flows between solar panels on a home’s roof and a heat energy storage tank (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. As it stands today, 2,474 homes in Belknap are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 60% gain from 2023, when 1,544 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Belknap County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Belknap County homeowners purchased a total of 12 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Belknap’s overall oil usage changes each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Belknap was 24.1°F, which was 5.3°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Belknap County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 24.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 29.4° F |
Belknap County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Belknap homeowners heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Belknap makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Belknap. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 0 Belknap cash heating oil companies serving Belknap include Inc and .
Belknap Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Belknap: 0 companies .
Average Number of Belknap Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 212831
Belknap Heating Oil Delivery Overview
212,831 homes in Belknap heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Belknap temperatures drop as low as 16.9° F each winter. 36.9% of Belknap houses rely on heating oil delivery each winter.
18.4% of Belknap County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Belknap County Households | Belknap County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 1.1M | 212,831 |
0 Belknap Number Two Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 199,461,865 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Belknap houses the last heating season, the Belknap community relies on its 0 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Belknap, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Gulf in Chelsea, MA. Then, the truck delivers the oil to homes and businesses throughout Belknap and the surrounding region.
