Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Washington Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Washington, used by 235,913 or 53% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington households is Heating Oil, used by 108,766 homes (24%). The remaining homes are heated with Electricity (16%), Propane (6%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Washington 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 Washington
Fuel oil has become less popular in Washington. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of homeowners using oil decreased from 129,877 to 108,766, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington
Between 2014 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 11,457 to 24,676, a 115% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 217,810 to 235,913, a 8% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Washington
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 39,832 to 70,606, a 77% change.
Washington County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Washington County homeowners purchased a total of 17 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Washington’s overall number two heating oil consumption varies yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ boilers need to burn additional fuel oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Washington was 32.1°F, which was 3.9°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Washington County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 32.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 36° F |
Washington County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Washington families heating with oil, picking which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Washington can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The client 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 fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 0 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include Inc and .
Washington Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Washington: 0 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 108766
Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview
108,766 families in Washington heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 26.7° F each winter. 24.3% of Washington houses depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
12.1% of Washington County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Washington County Households | Washington County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 898,380 | 108,766 |
0 Washington Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 91,890,913 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Washington households last winter, the Washington community relies on its 0 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Washington, two of the closest terminals are Shell in Providence, RI and Sprague in Providence, RI. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Washington and the surrounding area.
