Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Grand Isle Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the preferred choice in Grand Isle, used by 99,824 or 35% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Grand Isle households 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%).
Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle
Fuel oil has become less frequently used in Grand Isle. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of homeowners using heating oil declined from 114,708 to 99,824, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Grand Isle
Between 2012 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 38,497 to 57,954, a 51% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 41,601 to 55,373, a 33% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Grand Isle
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Grand Isle. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 12,532 to 36,366, a 190% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Grand Isle
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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. Today, 1,820 homes in Grand Isle are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 783% gain from 2012, when 206 homes used active solar heating.
Grand Isle County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Grand Isle County homeowners purchased a total of 693,582 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Grand Isle’s overall fuel oil consumption changes each year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Grand Isle was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Grand Isle County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Grand Isle County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Grand Isle households heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Grand Isle can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Grand Isle. Full service companies such as or offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system 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 family 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 clients who are budget-conscious. 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. Examples of 0 Grand Isle cash heating oil companies serving Grand Isle include Inc and .
Grand Isle Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Grand Isle: 0 companies .
Average Number of Grand Isle Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 99824
Grand Isle Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 houses in Grand Isle heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Grand Isle temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Grand Isle residences are reliant on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Grand Isle County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Grand Isle County Households | Grand Isle County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
0 Grand Isle Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 92,108,924 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Grand Isle homeowners the last heating season, the Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Grand Isle and the surrounding region.
