The promotion technology of hydrate formation is the key to the industrial application using hydrates. To study how nonionic surfactants affect hydrate formation, four isotridecanyl polyoxyethylene ether series surfactants with hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) values from 8 to 18 are selected to analyse nonionic surfactants influence on hydrate formation. All four surfactants can enhance 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) hydrate formation in quiescent conditions, and each surfactant has an ideal concentration regarding of hydrate formation induction time. E-1306 (HLB = 11.2) has the most effective on improving hydrate formation. The hydrate nucleation needs minimum time (61 min), and hydrate cooling storage capacity reaches 203.5 kJ·kg−1 with 1.0 wt% E-1306. Hydrate nucleation stability is also the best with 1.0 wt% E-1306. The hydrophobic effect and micelle effect of surfactants are the main methods for promoting hydrate formation. The effect of surfactants with large HLB values on promoting hydration is not obvious. The influence of surfactant on the stability of HCFC-141b emulsion is also an important factor affecting hydrate formation.