Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Allegany Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Allegany, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Allegany homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,365,710 homes (18%). The remaining homes are heated with Heating Oil (14%), Propane (5%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Allegany County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4,768,707 | 390,135 | 1,429,822 | 1,059,449 | 89,064 | 18,053 | 103,422 |
| 2025 | 4,725,574 | 377,922 | 1,365,710 | 1,103,323 | 92,054 | 16,434 | 100,232 |
| 2024 | 4,679,558 | 370,910 | 1,292,868 | 1,143,783 | 96,147 | 15,259 | 97,524 |
| 2023 | 4,581,041 | 402,335 | 1,263,700 | 1,212,850 | 100,015 | 11,208 | 104,369 |
| 2022 | 4,542,443 | 400,969 | 1,190,880 | 1,279,260 | 99,080 | 11,314 | 103,810 |
| 2021 | 4,489,009 | 388,311 | 1,118,015 | 1,293,770 | 108,202 | 8,858 | 98,952 |
| 2020 | 4,504,504 | 353,944 | 1,014,730 | 1,343,665 | 111,106 | 8,778 | 89,024 |
| 2019 | 4,519,999 | 319,576 | 911,445 | 1,393,560 | 114,011 | 8,697 | 79,096 |
| 2018 | 4,397,917 | 308,020 | 890,554 | 1,459,976 | 120,159 | 6,022 | 82,621 |
| 2017 | 4,339,349 | 294,973 | 867,925 | 1,496,843 | 122,088 | 5,988 | 77,386 |
| 2016 | 4,227,422 | 273,838 | 860,856 | 1,540,787 | 126,890 | 6,535 | 79,479 |
| 2015 | 4,202,413 | 265,224 | 808,370 | 1,649,860 | 141,016 | 3,120 | 78,999 |
| 2014 | 4,186,666 | 258,775 | 770,577 | 1,752,656 | 145,012 | 2,573 | 76,963 |
| 2013 | 4,074,510 | 259,367 | 764,400 | 1,802,442 | 148,422 | 2,525 | 81,841 |
| 2012 | 4,044,389 | 237,738 | 775,390 | 1,901,118 | 155,603 | 2,168 | 61,429 |
| 2011 | 4,014,222 | 222,634 | 707,016 | 1,979,067 | 143,287 | 2,728 | 63,609 |
| 2010 | 3,961,085 | 227,607 | 676,262 | 2,068,004 | 143,242 | 1,823 | 61,664 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Allegany
Heating oil has become losing popularity in Allegany. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of residents using number two heating oil decreased from 1,143,783 to 1,103,323, a 4% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Allegany
Between 2024 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 370,910 to 377,922, a 2% change. Comparing 2024 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 4,679,558 to 4,725,574, a 1% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Allegany
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Allegany. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,292,868 to 1,365,710, a 6% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Allegany
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. As it stands today, 16,434 homes in Allegany are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 8% gain from 2024, when 15,259 homes had active solar heating.
Allegany County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Allegany County homeowners purchased a total of 163,849 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Allegany’s overall number two heating oil use fluctuates each year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Allegany was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Allegany County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Allegany County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Allegany households heating with heating oil, choosing which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Allegany is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 2 “full-service” oil companies that serve Allegany. Full service companies such as Rinker Oil Corporation or Shorts Oil Company Inc offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer 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 clients who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Some of the 0 Allegany cash heating oil companies serving Allegany include Inc and .
Allegany Number Two Heating Oil Company Statistics: Heating oil Companies Serving Allegany: 2 companies .
Average Number of Allegany Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 551662
Allegany Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 houses in Allegany heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Allegany temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Allegany households rely on oil delivery each winter.
7% of Allegany County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Allegany County Households | Allegany County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
2 Allegany Fuel Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 664,748,714 gallons of heating oil delivered to Allegany homes the last heating season, the Allegany community relies on its 2 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Allegany, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the oil to residences and companies throughout Allegany and the surrounding vicinity.
