Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Oswego Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Oswego, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Oswego 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%).
Oswego 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 Oswego
Fuel oil has become less frequently used in Oswego. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of families using fuel oil dipped from 1,752,656 to 1,103,323, a 37% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Oswego
Between 2014 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 258,775 to 377,922, a 46% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 4,186,666 to 4,725,574, a 13% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Oswego
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Oswego. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 770,577 to 1,365,710, a 77% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Oswego
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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 Oswego are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 539% gain from 2014, when 2,573 homes used active solar heating.
Oswego County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Oswego County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Oswego’s overall oil use fluctuates yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn additional number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Oswego was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Oswego County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Oswego County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Oswego homes heating with fuel oil, choosing which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Oswego can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Oswego. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The household does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 0 Oswego cash heating oil companies serving Oswego include Inc and .
Oswego Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Oswego: 0 companies .
Average Number of Oswego Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 1103323
Oswego Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 residences in Oswego heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Oswego temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Oswego houses rely on heating oil delivery each winter.
7% of Oswego County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Oswego County Households | Oswego County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
0 Oswego Fuel Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 664,748,714 gallons of oil delivered to Oswego residences the last heating season, the Oswego community relies on its 0 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Oswego, 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 homes and businesses throughout Oswego and the surrounding region.
