Homeowners have a variety of home heating fuels to choose from. Electricity is the most popular choice in Stafford County, used by 1,887,993 or 56.72% of homes. The 2nd most popular choice for Stafford County homeowners is natural gas, used by 1,101,616 homes (33.09%). The remaining homes are heated with propane (153,698), heating oil (129,907), wood (65,453), and other fuels (41,045).
Stafford County Primary Home Heating Fuel Popularity by Number of Households
Fuel | Stafford County Households | % of Households |
---|---|---|
Electricity | 1.8M | 56.72% |
Natural Gas | 1.1M | 33.09% |
Propane | 153,698 | 4.62% |
Heating Oil | 129,907 | 3.90% |
Wood | 65,453 | 1.97% |
No Fuel | 24,314 | 0.73% |
Other Fuels | 12,489 | 0.38% |
Solar | 2,751 | 0.08% |
Coal | 1,491 | 0.04% |
Electricity (56.72)
Natural gas (33.09)
Propane (4.62)
Heating oil (3.90)
Wood (1.97)
No fuel (0.73)
Other fuels (0.38)
Solar (0.08)
Coal (0.04)
Heating oil has become less popular in Stafford County. In the 6 years since 2016, the number of heating oil homes fell from 162,011 to 129,907, a 19.82% drop.
Stafford County Heating Oil Households (2011 - 2022)
Year | Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
2011 | 228,988 |
2012 | 211,492 |
2013 | 195,333 |
2014 | 182,928 |
2015 | 171,696 |
2016 | 162,011 |
2017 | 154,885 |
2018 | 148,684 |
2019 | 141,997 |
2020 | 137,208 |
2021 | 128,923 |
2022 | 129,907 |
Between 2016 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 138,217 to 153,698.
Between 2016 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 1,031,638 to 1,101,616.
Electric space heating systems are becoming more popular in Stafford County. Since 2016, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,654,016 to 1,887,993, a 14.15% increase.
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all space heating fuels. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid is circulated between solar panels on a home’s roof and a heat energy storage tank in the basement.
Currently, 2,751 homes in Stafford County are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 265.34% increase from 2016, when only 753 homes had installed active solar heating.
For Stafford County homeowners heating with oil, selecting which of the 23 heating oil companies that serve Stafford County is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 1 “full-service” oil companies that serve Stafford County. Full service companies such as Robert B Payne Inc or undefined offer automatic fuel delivery and furnace repair under a single roof.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel Companies” or “Cash Heating Oil Companies”, these companies are for the budget-conscious Stafford County homeowner. In return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank and place an order when you run low on oil. Examples of cash heating oil companies that serve Stafford County include HYNES HVAC LLC and Quarles Petroleum Inc And Subsidiaries.
Stafford County Heating Oil Company Fast Facts
Heating Oil Companies Serving Stafford County: 23 companies
Average Number Of Stafford County Homes Served Per Company: 62 homes
Average Gallons Delivered per Stafford County Oil Company: 37,972 gallons per year
Approximately 1,446 households in Stafford County heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Stafford County temperatures drop as low as 42.5° F each winter.
2% of Stafford County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
Stafford County Households | Stafford County Heating Oil Households |
---|---|
66,576 | 1,446 |
23 Stafford County Oil Companies Go the Distance
With 873,362 gallons of heating oil delivered to Stafford County homeowners during the winter of 2023, the Stafford County community relies on its 23 oil companies to keep warm.
Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal. In the case of Stafford County, two of the closest terminals are Motiva in Fairfax, VA and 1st Enrgy in Richmond, VA. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Stafford County.