Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Susquehanna Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Susquehanna, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Susquehanna homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The other homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).
Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Susquehanna. 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 Susquehanna
Between 2015 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot 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 shot up from 2,549,385 to 2,796,352, a 10% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Susquehanna
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Susquehanna. 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 Susquehanna
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Susquehanna are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 240% gain from 2015, when 2,117 homes had active solar heating.
Susquehanna County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Susquehanna County homeowners purchased a total of 2 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Susquehanna’s overall oil use changes annually depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn additional number two heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Susquehanna was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Susquehanna County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Susquehanna County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Susquehanna households heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Susquehanna makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Susquehanna. Full service companies such as or offer families 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 customer 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 customers who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Examples of 0 Susquehanna cash heating oil companies serving Susquehanna include Inc and .
Susquehanna Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Susquehanna: 0 companies .
Average Number of Susquehanna Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 663450
Susquehanna Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Susquehanna heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Susquehanna temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Susquehanna residences depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Susquehanna County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Susquehanna County Households | Susquehanna County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
0 Susquehanna Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Susquehanna homeowners during this past winter, the Susquehanna community depends on its 0 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Susquehanna, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the oil to homes and businesses throughout Susquehanna and the surrounding area.