Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Mifflin Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Mifflin, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Mifflin residents 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%).
Mifflin 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 Mifflin
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Mifflin. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of households using oil dropped from 685,083 to 663,450, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Mifflin
Between 2024 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 276,598 to 282,182, a 2% change. Comparing 2024 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel stayed the same at 2,796,352, a 0% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Mifflin
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Mifflin. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,396,275 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Mifflin
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. As it stands today, 7,204 homes in Mifflin are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 17% gain from 2024, when 6,155 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Mifflin County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Mifflin County homeowners purchased a total of 3 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Mifflin’s overall oil usage changes yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Mifflin was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Mifflin County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Mifflin County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Mifflin families heating with oil, selecting which of the 4 heating oil companies that serve Mifflin plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Mifflin. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The homeowner 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 clients who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. A few of the 2 Mifflin cash heating oil companies serving Mifflin include Snedeker Energy Llc Inc and Hilltop Oil Co.
Mifflin Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Mifflin: 4 companies .
Average Number of Mifflin Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 165863
Mifflin Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Mifflin heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Mifflin temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Mifflin houses are reliant on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Mifflin County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Mifflin County Households | Mifflin County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
6 Mifflin Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Mifflin families during this past winter, the Mifflin community depends on its 6 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 Mifflin, 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 homes and businesses throughout Mifflin and the surrounding area.
