Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Chittenden Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the most popular choice in Chittenden, used by 99,824 or 35% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Chittenden residents is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The rest of the homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Chittenden County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 56,326 | 59,670 | 38,847 | 98,199 | 32,791 | 1,999 | 4,452 |
| 2025 | 55,373 | 57,954 | 36,366 | 99,824 | 33,030 | 1,820 | 4,366 |
| 2024 | 56,646 | 56,523 | 33,651 | 101,281 | 30,344 | 1,660 | 4,241 |
| 2023 | 48,131 | 54,853 | 27,940 | 102,091 | 38,497 | 1,670 | 4,784 |
| 2022 | 50,240 | 51,520 | 24,105 | 105,894 | 36,184 | 1,106 | 6,886 |
| 2021 | 50,677 | 51,992 | 22,510 | 105,005 | 33,125 | 1,349 | 4,533 |
| 2020 | 49,752 | 50,131 | 19,616 | 106,832 | 33,799 | 948 | 4,630 |
| 2019 | 48,826 | 48,270 | 16,723 | 108,658 | 34,473 | 547 | 4,727 |
| 2018 | 47,328 | 44,423 | 14,122 | 108,961 | 40,731 | 819 | 3,930 |
| 2017 | 47,036 | 43,339 | 14,035 | 107,395 | 38,840 | 612 | 3,997 |
| 2016 | 46,388 | 42,621 | 14,097 | 106,498 | 39,455 | 571 | 3,822 |
| 2015 | 45,256 | 40,280 | 12,610 | 108,532 | 42,271 | 263 | 4,298 |
| 2014 | 43,091 | 38,116 | 11,250 | 115,387 | 43,828 | 179 | 4,258 |
| 2013 | 42,192 | 38,339 | 11,779 | 111,011 | 44,411 | 257 | 3,630 |
| 2012 | 41,601 | 38,497 | 12,532 | 114,708 | 46,051 | 206 | 3,749 |
| 2011 | 39,163 | 39,551 | 10,855 | 122,786 | 41,261 | 98 | 2,834 |
| 2010 | 41,357 | 35,529 | 13,667 | 122,832 | 38,777 | 122 | 3,182 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Chittenden
Heating oil has become less popular in Chittenden. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of residents using oil dropped from 107,395 to 99,824, a 7% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Chittenden
Between 2017 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 43,339 to 57,954, a 34% change. Comparing 2017 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 47,036 to 55,373, a 18% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Chittenden
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Chittenden. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 14,035 to 36,366, a 159% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Chittenden
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Currently, 1,820 homes in Chittenden are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 197% gain from 2017, when 612 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Chittenden County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Chittenden County homeowners purchased a total of 9 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Chittenden’s overall number two heating oil use fluctuates each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Chittenden was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Chittenden County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Chittenden County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Chittenden homes heating with oil, selecting which of the 23 heating oil companies that serve Chittenden can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Chittenden. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for families who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Chittenden cash heating oil companies serving Chittenden include Robinson's Inc Inc and All Star Fuels LLC.
Chittenden Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Chittenden: 23 companies .
Average Number of Chittenden Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 4340
Chittenden Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 homes in Chittenden heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Chittenden temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Chittenden households depend on oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Chittenden County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Chittenden County Households | Chittenden County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
286 Chittenden Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 92,108,924 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Chittenden residences last winter, the Chittenden community relies on its 286 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery has two parts to it: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Chittenden, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the oil to residences and companies throughout Chittenden and the surrounding vicinity.
