Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Union Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Union, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Union 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%).
Union 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 Union
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Union. In the 6 years since 2019, the number of households using number two heating oil declined from 792,365 to 663,450, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Union
Between 2019 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 235,490 to 282,182, a 20% change. Comparing 2019 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,634,591 to 2,796,352, a 6% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Union
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Union. Since 2019, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,222,377 to 1,447,260, a 18% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Union
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. Today, 7,204 homes in Union are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 70% gain from 2019, when 4,241 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Union County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Union County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Union’s overall number two heating oil usage fluctuates from year to year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Union was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Union County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Union County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Union households heating with oil, choosing which of the 6 heating oil companies that serve Union makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Union. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The client 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 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 when you're running low. Examples of 2 Union cash heating oil companies serving Union include RW Dittmar Plumbing Heating & Oil Company Inc Inc and Kratzer Oil Co Inc.
Union Oil Company By The Numbers: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Union: 6 companies .
Average Number of Union Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 110575
Union Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households in Union heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Union temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Union residences depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Union County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Union County Households | Union County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
25 Union Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Union houses last winter, the Union community relies on its 25 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 Union, 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 Union and the surrounding area.
