Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Livingston Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Livingston, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Livingston 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%).
Livingston 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 Livingston
Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Livingston. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of homeowners using oil dipped from 1,279,260 to 1,103,323, a 14% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Livingston
Between 2022 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel dipped from 400,969 to 377,922, a 6% change. Comparing 2022 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 4,542,443 to 4,725,574, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Livingston
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Livingston. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,190,880 to 1,365,710, a 15% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Livingston
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. Currently, 16,434 homes in Livingston are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 45% gain from 2022, when 11,314 homes utilized active solar heating.
Livingston County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Livingston County homeowners purchased a total of 129,151 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Livingston’s overall oil consumption fluctuates yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ furnaces need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Livingston was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Livingston County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Livingston County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Livingston households heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Livingston can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 1 “full-service” oil companies that serve Livingston. Full service companies such as Valley Energy Services LLC Valley Fuels or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The family 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 homeowners who are budget-conscious. 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. Some of the 1 Livingston cash heating oil companies serving Livingston include Frank T Rose Roses Enterprises Inc and .
Livingston Oil Company Statistics: Oil Companies Serving Livingston: 2 companies .
Average Number of Livingston Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 551662
Livingston Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 residences in Livingston heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Livingston temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Livingston residences depend on heating oil delivery each winter.
7% of Livingston County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Livingston County Households | Livingston County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
2 Livingston Number Two Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 664,748,714 gallons of oil delivered to Livingston homeowners last winter, the Livingston community relies on its 2 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery has two parts to it: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Livingston, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Livingston and the surrounding area.
