Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Mercer Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Mercer, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Mercer households 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%).
Mercer 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 Mercer
Oil has become less frequently used in Mercer. In the 10 years since 2015, the number of residents using oil dipped from 837,082 to 663,450, a 21% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Mercer
Between 2015 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up 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 Mercer
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Mercer. 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 Mercer
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. Today, 7,204 homes in Mercer are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 240% gain from 2015, when 2,117 homes used active solar heating.
Mercer County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Mercer County homeowners purchased a total of 348,456 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Mercer’s overall oil usage changes annually correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Mercer was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Mercer County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Mercer County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Mercer families heating with heating oil, picking which of the 4 heating oil companies that serve Mercer plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Mercer. 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 boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer 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 homeowners who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the fuel 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 2 Mercer cash heating oil companies serving Mercer include Heath Oil Inc Inc and Klasen Mcquiston Energy Corporation.
Mercer Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Mercer: 4 companies .
Average Number of Mercer Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 165863
Mercer Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Mercer heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Mercer temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Mercer houses depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Mercer County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Mercer County Households | Mercer County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
10 Mercer Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Mercer houses last winter, the Mercer community relies on its 10 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Mercer, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Mercer and the surrounding area.
