Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Genesee Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Genesee, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Genesee homeowners 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%).
Genesee County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number 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 Genesee
Oil has become losing popularity in Genesee. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of households using number two heating oil fell from 1,802,442 to 1,103,323, a 39% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Genesee
Between 2013 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 259,367 to 377,922, a 46% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 4,074,510 to 4,725,574, a 16% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Genesee
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Genesee. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 764,400 to 1,365,710, a 79% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Genesee
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. As it stands today, 16,434 homes in Genesee are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 551% gain from 2013, when 2,525 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Genesee County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Genesee County homeowners purchased a total of 320,951 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Genesee’s overall number two heating oil use fluctuates each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Genesee was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Genesee County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Genesee County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Genesee residences heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 5 heating oil companies that serve Genesee plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 6 “full-service” oil companies that serve Genesee. Full service companies such as Dave Reisdorf Inc Reisdorf Oil & Propane or Dave Reisdorf Inc Reisdorf Oil & Propane offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace 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 homeowner 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 households who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Some of the 2 Genesee cash heating oil companies serving Genesee include Olear's Inc and Francis W King Petroleum Products.
Genesee Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Genesee: 5 companies .
Average Number of Genesee Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 220665
Genesee Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 families in Genesee heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Genesee temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Genesee homes depend on heating oil delivery each winter.
7% of Genesee County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Genesee County Households | Genesee County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
9 Genesee Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 664,748,714 gallons of heating oil delivered to Genesee families the last heating season, the Genesee community relies on its 9 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Genesee, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Genesee and the surrounding region.
