Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Lycoming Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Lycoming, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Lycoming families 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%).
Lycoming 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 Lycoming
Heating oil has become losing popularity in Lycoming. In the 10 years since 2015, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil dipped from 837,082 to 663,450, a 21% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Lycoming
Between 2015 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased 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 rose from 2,549,385 to 2,796,352, a 10% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Lycoming
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Lycoming. Since 2015, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,103,995 to 1,447,260, a 31% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Lycoming
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, 7,204 homes in Lycoming are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 240% gain from 2015, when 2,117 homes used active solar heating.
Lycoming County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Lycoming County homeowners purchased a total of 806,611 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Lycoming’s overall oil usage varies annually depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Lycoming was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Lycoming County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Lycoming County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Lycoming homeowners heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Lycoming plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
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 Lycoming. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic 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 household 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 households who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower 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. Examples of 1 Lycoming cash heating oil companies serving Lycoming include RW Dittmar Plumbing Heating & Oil Company Inc Inc and .
Lycoming Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Lycoming: 1 companies .
Average Number of Lycoming Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 663450
Lycoming Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Lycoming heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Lycoming temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Lycoming houses depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Lycoming County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Lycoming County Households | Lycoming County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
1 Lycoming Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Lycoming homeowners last winter, the Lycoming community depends on its 1 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Lycoming, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to homes and businesses throughout Lycoming and the surrounding vicinity.
