Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Newport Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Newport, used by 235,913 or 53% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Newport homeowners is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The rest of the homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Newport County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 239,155 | 26,715 | 73,640 | 106,143 | 3,308 | 1,101 | 3,931 |
| 2025 | 235,913 | 24,676 | 70,606 | 108,766 | 3,474 | 1,046 | 3,562 |
| 2024 | 239,478 | 21,922 | 63,619 | 113,718 | 3,280 | 896 | 3,236 |
| 2023 | 225,315 | 26,362 | 64,872 | 117,298 | 4,970 | 781 | 2,523 |
| 2022 | 240,848 | 21,720 | 60,798 | 112,289 | 4,812 | 686 | 3,106 |
| 2021 | 232,445 | 20,854 | 50,898 | 127,202 | 4,581 | 482 | 1,870 |
| 2020 | 228,782 | 17,674 | 46,340 | 121,808 | 5,244 | 362 | 2,025 |
| 2019 | 225,120 | 14,493 | 41,783 | 116,413 | 5,906 | 243 | 2,180 |
| 2018 | 226,173 | 11,618 | 41,491 | 117,880 | 4,634 | 313 | 2,687 |
| 2017 | 216,466 | 12,165 | 43,380 | 126,191 | 5,952 | 47 | 2,845 |
| 2016 | 221,544 | 10,488 | 43,722 | 122,343 | 6,219 | 290 | 2,140 |
| 2015 | 216,129 | 11,955 | 43,085 | 124,029 | 7,228 | 0 | 3,101 |
| 2014 | 217,810 | 11,457 | 39,832 | 129,877 | 7,318 | 0 | 2,159 |
| 2013 | 212,545 | 10,035 | 39,215 | 132,486 | 8,547 | 185 | 1,769 |
| 2012 | 208,173 | 10,361 | 38,606 | 144,208 | 7,592 | 204 | 2,165 |
| 2011 | 209,106 | 7,816 | 34,511 | 151,784 | 5,860 | 75 | 1,590 |
| 2010 | 197,703 | 7,793 | 35,706 | 151,847 | 7,084 | 0 | 814 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Newport
Fuel oil has become decreasing in demand in Newport. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of homeowners using fuel oil fell from 144,208 to 108,766, a 25% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Newport
Between 2012 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 10,361 to 24,676, a 138% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 208,173 to 235,913, a 13% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Newport
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Newport. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 38,606 to 70,606, a 83% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Newport
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all 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 (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. Now, 1,046 homes in Newport are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 413% gain from 2012, when 204 homes utilized active solar heating.
Newport County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Newport County homeowners purchased a total of 12 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Newport’s overall oil usage fluctuates from year to year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ furnaces need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Newport was 32.1°F, which was 3.9°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Newport County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 32.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 36° F |
Newport County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Newport families heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Newport can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Newport. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The homeowner does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Examples of 0 Newport cash heating oil companies serving Newport include Inc and .
Newport Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Heating oil Companies Serving Newport: 0 companies .
Average Number of Newport Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 108766
Newport Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 families in Newport heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Newport temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Newport residences are reliant on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
12.1% of Newport County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Newport County Households | Newport County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 898,380 | 108,766 |
0 Newport Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Newport homes last winter, the Newport community relies on its 0 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Newport, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Newport and the surrounding area.
