Homeowners have a variety of home heating fuels to choose from. Natural gas is the most popular choice in South Shore Massachusetts, used by 254,682 or 51.79% of homes. The 2nd most popular choice for South Shore Massachusetts homeowners is heating oil, used by 136,386 homes (27.74%). The remaining homes are heated with electricity (73,539), propane (22,139), wood (3,474), and other fuels (6,255).
South Shore Massachusetts Primary Home Heating Fuel Popularity by Number of Households
Fuel | South Shore Massachusetts Households | % of Households |
---|---|---|
Natural Gas | 254,682 | 51.79% |
Heating Oil | 136,386 | 27.74% |
Electricity | 73,539 | 14.96% |
Propane | 22,139 | 4.50% |
Wood | 3,474 | 0.71% |
Other Fuels | 3,237 | 0.66% |
No Fuel | 2,265 | 0.46% |
Solar | 537 | 0.11% |
Coal | 216 | 0.04% |
Natural gas (51.79)
Heating oil (27.74)
Electricity (14.96)
Propane (4.50)
Wood (0.71)
Other fuels (0.66)
No fuel (0.46)
Solar (0.11)
Coal (0.04)
Heating oil has become less popular in South Shore Massachusetts. In the 10 years since 2012, the number of heating oil homes fell from 165,720 to 136,386, a 17.70% drop.
South Shore Massachusetts Heating Oil Households (2011 - 2022)
Year | Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
2011 | 168,032 |
2012 | 165,720 |
2013 | 161,173 |
2014 | 156,012 |
2015 | 151,703 |
2016 | 145,690 |
2017 | 143,331 |
2018 | 139,070 |
2019 | 135,342 |
2020 | 134,821 |
2021 | 135,307 |
2022 | 136,386 |
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 11,939 to 22,139.
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 203,560 to 254,682.
Electric space heating systems are becoming more popular in South Shore Massachusetts. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 51,165 to 73,539, a 43.73% increase.
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, 537 homes in South Shore Massachusetts are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 138.67% increase from 2012, when only 225 homes had installed active solar heating.