Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Rutland Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Heating Oil is the preferred choice in Rutland, used by 99,824 or 35% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Rutland families is Propane, used by 57,954 homes (20%). The other homes are heated with Natural Gas (19%), Electricity (13%), Wood (11%), and Other (2%).
Rutland 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 Rutland
Oil has become less popular in Rutland. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of families using fuel oil dipped from 105,894 to 99,824, a 6% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Rutland
Between 2022 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 51,520 to 57,954, a 12% change. Comparing 2022 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 50,240 to 55,373, a 10% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Rutland
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Rutland. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 24,105 to 36,366, a 51% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Rutland
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. Now, 1,820 homes in Rutland are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 65% gain from 2022, when 1,106 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Rutland County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Rutland County homeowners purchased a total of 13 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Rutland’s overall oil use fluctuates from year to year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Rutland was 20.4°F, which was 6.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Rutland County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 20.4° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.8° F |
Rutland County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Rutland households heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 5 heating oil companies that serve Rutland 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 Rutland. Full service companies such as or offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating 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 customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. A few of the 2 Rutland cash heating oil companies serving Rutland include Midway Oil Inc and Sam's Service Center & USave Fuels.
Rutland Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Rutland: 5 companies .
Average Number of Rutland Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 19965
Rutland Heating Oil Delivery Overview
99,824 homes in Rutland heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Rutland temperatures drop as low as 12.6° F each winter. 34.6% of Rutland residences depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
17.2% of Rutland County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Rutland County Households | Rutland County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 579,101 | 99,824 |
102 Rutland Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 92,108,924 gallons of heating oil delivered to Rutland homeowners the last heating season, the Rutland community depends on its 102 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 Rutland, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Newington, NH and Apex in Rensselaer, NY. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Rutland and the surrounding vicinity.
