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Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Westmoreland Home Heating Fuel Comparison

Households have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Westmoreland, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Westmoreland residents 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%).

Westmoreland County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)

YearNatural GasPropaneElectricityOilWoodSolarOther
20262,805,138291,5021,481,338646,118111,0067,89231,343
20252,796,352282,1821,447,260663,450112,2707,20431,146
20242,785,913276,5981,396,275685,083111,4166,15532,085
20232,698,411278,6211,389,291717,601111,5406,96444,558
20222,710,114282,6251,337,240742,118105,1475,28241,959
20212,677,533267,4541,287,322760,867109,8324,86746,436
20202,656,062251,4721,254,850776,616113,9004,55441,326
20192,634,591235,4901,222,377792,365117,9694,24136,216
20182,592,386225,4761,198,450806,761128,1102,19735,172
20172,598,275222,6501,158,937790,353127,1982,22535,586
20162,551,248209,7191,133,797805,822125,5831,63934,565
20152,549,385200,7541,103,995837,082141,8352,11738,034
20142,528,694198,2961,087,741858,758148,2561,76036,886
20132,516,052195,7991,086,074870,064148,5971,40833,941
20122,530,063188,8801,046,982936,674145,0891,48431,494
20112,516,883178,3871,019,764973,749137,6251,54528,259
20102,530,446177,562997,925993,832126,07459729,423

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Westmoreland

Heating oil has become losing popularity in Westmoreland. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of households using oil dropped from 936,674 to 663,450, a 29% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Westmoreland

Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 188,880 to 282,182, a 49% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,530,063 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Westmoreland

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Westmoreland. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,046,982 to 1,447,260, a 38% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Westmoreland

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. Now, 7,204 homes in Westmoreland are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 385% gain from 2012, when 1,484 homes had active solar heating.

Westmoreland County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Westmoreland County homeowners purchased a total of 13 million gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Westmoreland’s overall number two heating oil use fluctuates yearly primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ furnaces need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Westmoreland was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Westmoreland County Average Winter Temperature

Heating SeasonAverage Temperature
2024 - 202529.3° F
2023 - 202434.8° F

Westmoreland County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Westmoreland families heating with oil, selecting which of the 0 heating oil companies that serve Westmoreland can drastically impact the cost of home heating.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Westmoreland. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Some of the 0 Westmoreland cash heating oil companies serving Westmoreland include Inc and .

Westmoreland Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Westmoreland: 0 companies .

Average Number of Westmoreland Households Served per Heating Oil company : 663450

Westmoreland Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 households in Westmoreland heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Westmoreland temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Westmoreland houses rely on number two heating oil delivery each winter.

6.1% of Westmoreland County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Westmoreland County HouseholdsWestmoreland County Heating Oil Households
10.7M663,450

0 Westmoreland Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On

With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Westmoreland residences the last heating season, the Westmoreland community looks to its 0 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Westmoreland, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the oil to residences and companies throughout Westmoreland and the surrounding region.