Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Broome 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 Broome, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Broome residents is Electricity, used by 1,365,710 homes (18%). The rest of the homes are heated with Heating Oil (14%), Propane (5%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Broome County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. of Households)
| Year | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,725,574 | 377,922 | 1,365,710 | 1,103,323 | 92,054 | 16,434 | 100,232 |
| 2024 | 4,679,558 | 370,910 | 1,292,868 | 1,143,783 | 96,147 | 15,259 | 97,524 |
| 2023 | 4,581,041 | 402,335 | 1,263,700 | 1,212,850 | 100,015 | 11,208 | 104,369 |
| 2022 | 4,542,443 | 400,969 | 1,190,880 | 1,279,260 | 99,080 | 11,314 | 103,810 |
| 2021 | 4,489,009 | 388,311 | 1,118,015 | 1,293,770 | 108,202 | 8,858 | 98,952 |
| 2020 | 4,504,504 | 353,944 | 1,014,730 | 1,343,665 | 111,106 | 8,778 | 89,024 |
| 2019 | 4,519,999 | 319,576 | 911,445 | 1,393,560 | 114,011 | 8,697 | 79,096 |
| 2018 | 4,397,917 | 308,020 | 890,554 | 1,459,976 | 120,159 | 6,022 | 82,621 |
| 2017 | 4,339,349 | 294,973 | 867,925 | 1,496,843 | 122,088 | 5,988 | 77,386 |
| 2016 | 4,227,422 | 273,838 | 860,856 | 1,540,787 | 126,890 | 6,535 | 79,479 |
| 2015 | 4,202,413 | 265,224 | 808,370 | 1,649,860 | 141,016 | 3,120 | 78,999 |
| 2014 | 4,186,666 | 258,775 | 770,577 | 1,752,656 | 145,012 | 2,573 | 76,963 |
| 2013 | 4,074,510 | 259,367 | 764,400 | 1,802,442 | 148,422 | 2,525 | 81,841 |
| 2012 | 4,044,389 | 237,738 | 775,390 | 1,901,118 | 155,603 | 2,168 | 61,429 |
| 2011 | 4,014,222 | 222,634 | 707,016 | 1,979,067 | 143,287 | 2,728 | 63,609 |
| 2010 | 3,961,085 | 227,607 | 676,262 | 2,068,004 | 143,242 | 1,823 | 61,664 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Broome
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Broome. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of residents using number two heating oil fell from 1,293,770 to 1,103,323, a 15% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Broome
Between 2021 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel decreased from 388,311 to 377,922, a 3% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 4,489,009 to 4,725,574, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Broome
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Broome. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,118,015 to 1,365,710, a 22% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Broome
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. Now, 16,434 homes in Broome are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 86% gain from 2021, when 8,858 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Broome County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Broome County homeowners purchased a total of 3 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Broome’s overall heating oil usage fluctuates yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Broome was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Broome County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Broome County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Broome households heating with oil, selecting which of the 5 heating oil companies that serve Broome 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 select one of the 51 “full-service” oil companies that serve Broome. Full service companies such as Scott Smith & Son Inc or Rapp Petroleum Corporation Economy Heating Lindsey Oil offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating 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 homeowners who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Some of the 0 Broome cash heating oil companies serving Broome include and .
Broome Oil Company Statistics: Fuel oil Companies Serving Broome: 5 companies .
Average Number of Broome Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 220665
Broome Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 homes in Broome heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Broome temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Broome residences depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
7% of Broome County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Broome County Households | Broome County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
51 Broome Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 664,748,714 gallons of heating oil delivered to Broome homes last winter, the Broome community depends on its 51 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 Broome, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the oil to residences and companies throughout Broome and the surrounding area.