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

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

Year	Natural Gas	Propane	Electricity	Oil	Wood	Solar	Other
2026	2,805,138	291,502	1,481,338	646,118	111,006	7,892	31,343
2025	2,796,352	282,182	1,447,260	663,450	112,270	7,204	31,146
2024	2,785,913	276,598	1,396,275	685,083	111,416	6,155	32,085
2023	2,698,411	278,621	1,389,291	717,601	111,540	6,964	44,558
2022	2,710,114	282,625	1,337,240	742,118	105,147	5,282	41,959
2021	2,677,533	267,454	1,287,322	760,867	109,832	4,867	46,436
2020	2,656,062	251,472	1,254,850	776,616	113,900	4,554	41,326
2019	2,634,591	235,490	1,222,377	792,365	117,969	4,241	36,216
2018	2,592,386	225,476	1,198,450	806,761	128,110	2,197	35,172
2017	2,598,275	222,650	1,158,937	790,353	127,198	2,225	35,586
2016	2,551,248	209,719	1,133,797	805,822	125,583	1,639	34,565
2015	2,549,385	200,754	1,103,995	837,082	141,835	2,117	38,034
2014	2,528,694	198,296	1,087,741	858,758	148,256	1,760	36,886
2013	2,516,052	195,799	1,086,074	870,064	148,597	1,408	33,941
2012	2,530,063	188,880	1,046,982	936,674	145,089	1,484	31,494
2011	2,516,883	178,387	1,019,764	973,749	137,625	1,545	28,259
2010	2,530,446	177,562	997,925	993,832	126,074	597	29,423

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Centre

Oil has become decreasing in demand in Centre. In the 10 years since 2015, the number of households using heating oil declined from 837,082 to 663,450, a 21% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Centre

Between 2015 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 200,754 to 282,182, a 41% change. Comparing 2015 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,549,385 to 2,796,352, a 10% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Centre

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Centre. Since 2015, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,103,995 to 1,447,260, a 31% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Centre

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 Centre are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 240% gain from 2015, when 2,117 homes incorporated active solar heating.

Centre County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Centre County homeowners purchased a total of 7 million gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Centre’s overall fuel oil usage fluctuates yearly as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn more and more heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Centre was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Centre County Average Winter Temperature

Heating Season	Average Temperature
2024 - 2025	29.3° F
2023 - 2024	34.8° F

Centre County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Centre residences heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 8 heating oil companies that serve Centre makes a big difference.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Centre. 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 HVAC repair. With an automatic 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 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 on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower 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. Some of the 2 Centre cash heating oil companies serving Centre include C S Myers & Son Inc Inc and Nittany Oil Company Inc.

Centre Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Centre: 8 companies .

Average Number of Centre Households Served per Heating Oil company : 82931

Centre Heating Oil Delivery Overview

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

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

Centre County Households	Centre County Heating Oil Households
10.7M	663,450

70 Centre Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On

With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Centre households last winter, the Centre community relies on its 70 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Centre, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Centre and the surrounding region.

Heating Oil Near You In These Adjacent Counties

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