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Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Armstrong Home Heating Fuel Comparison

Homes have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Armstrong, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Armstrong homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The remaining homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).

Armstrong County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)

YearNatural GasPropaneElectricityOilWoodSolarOther
20262,805,138291,5021,481,338646,118111,0067,89231,343
20252,796,352282,1821,447,260663,450112,2707,20431,146
20242,785,913276,5981,396,275685,083111,4166,15532,085
20232,698,411278,6211,389,291717,601111,5406,96444,558
20222,710,114282,6251,337,240742,118105,1475,28241,959
20212,677,533267,4541,287,322760,867109,8324,86746,436
20202,656,062251,4721,254,850776,616113,9004,55441,326
20192,634,591235,4901,222,377792,365117,9694,24136,216
20182,592,386225,4761,198,450806,761128,1102,19735,172
20172,598,275222,6501,158,937790,353127,1982,22535,586
20162,551,248209,7191,133,797805,822125,5831,63934,565
20152,549,385200,7541,103,995837,082141,8352,11738,034
20142,528,694198,2961,087,741858,758148,2561,76036,886
20132,516,052195,7991,086,074870,064148,5971,40833,941
20122,530,063188,8801,046,982936,674145,0891,48431,494
20112,516,883178,3871,019,764973,749137,6251,54528,259
20102,530,446177,562997,925993,832126,07459729,423

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Armstrong

Number two heating oil has become losing popularity in Armstrong. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of residents using fuel oil fell from 858,758 to 663,450, a 23% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Armstrong

Between 2014 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 198,296 to 282,182, a 42% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,528,694 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Armstrong

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Armstrong. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 1,087,741 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Armstrong

Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all 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 (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. Currently, 7,204 homes in Armstrong are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 309% gain from 2014, when 1,760 homes had active solar heating.

Armstrong County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Armstrong County homeowners purchased a total of 794,996 gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Armstrong’s overall fuel oil usage changes from year to year correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Armstrong was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Armstrong County Average Winter Temperature

Heating SeasonAverage Temperature
2024 - 202529.3° F
2023 - 202434.8° F

Armstrong County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Armstrong families heating with oil, choosing which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Armstrong plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Armstrong. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the 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 Armstrong cash heating oil companies serving Armstrong include Inc and .

Armstrong Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Armstrong: 0 companies .

Average Number of Armstrong Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 663450

Armstrong Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 residences in Armstrong heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Armstrong temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Armstrong houses depend on oil delivery each winter.

6.1% of Armstrong County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Armstrong County HouseholdsArmstrong County Heating Oil Households
10.7M663,450

0 Armstrong Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance

With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Armstrong homes last winter, the Armstrong community looks to 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 Armstrong, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Armstrong and the surrounding vicinity.