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Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Cape Cod Home Heating Fuel Comparison

Homeowners have a variety of home heating fuels to choose from. Natural gas is the most popular choice in Cape Cod, used by 62,395 or 62.83% of homes. The 2nd most popular choice for Cape Cod homeowners is heating oil, used by 21,024 homes (21.17%). The remaining homes are heated with electricity (11,229), propane (4,339), wood (1,401), and other fuels (1,064).

Cape Cod Primary Home Heating Fuel Popularity by Number of Households

FuelCape Cod Households % of Households
Natural Gas62,39562.83%
Heating Oil21,02421.17%
Electricity11,22911.31%
Propane4,3394.37%
Wood1,4011.41%
Other Fuels3750.38%
No Fuel3210.32%
Solar2920.29%
Coal760.08%

Natural gas (62.83)

Heating oil (21.17)

Electricity (11.31)

Propane (4.37)

Wood (1.41)

Other fuels (0.38)

No fuel (0.32)

Solar (0.29)

Coal (0.08)

#2 Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Cape Cod

Heating oil has become less popular in Cape Cod. In the 10 years since 2012, the number of heating oil homes fell from 27,915 to 21,024, a 24.69% drop.

Cape Cod Heating Oil Households (2011 - 2022)

YearHeating Oil Households
201129,024
201227,915
201327,051
201425,814
201525,256
201624,183
201723,375
201822,357
201921,889
202021,205
202120,709
202221,024

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Cape Cod

Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 2,394 to 4,339.

Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 53,087 to 62,395.

Electricity use for home heating in Cape Cod

Electric space heating systems are becoming more popular in Cape Cod. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 8,514 to 11,229, a 31.89% increase.

Solar use for home heating in Cape Cod

Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all space 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 in the basement.

Currently, 292 homes in Cape Cod are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 1290.48% increase from 2012, when only 21 homes had installed active solar heating.