Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Genesee Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Genesee, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Genesee families 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 less popular in Genesee. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of households using number two heating oil dipped from 1,496,843 to 1,103,323, a 26% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Genesee
Between 2017 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 294,973 to 377,922, a 28% change. Comparing 2017 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 4,339,349 to 4,725,574, a 9% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Genesee
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Genesee. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 867,925 to 1,365,710, a 57% 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 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 Genesee are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 174% gain from 2017, when 5,988 homes used 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 oil usage varies yearly based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more number two heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 families heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 5 heating oil companies that serve Genesee is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick 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 homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for families who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Genesee cash heating oil companies serving Genesee include Olear's Inc and Francis W King Petroleum Products.
Genesee Heating Oil Company Statistics: 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 oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Genesee temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Genesee families are reliant on fuel 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 Trust
With 664,748,714 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Genesee households last winter, the Genesee community relies on its 9 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 Genesee, two of the closest terminals are Sprague in Bridgeport, CT and N.h.term in New Haven, CT. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Genesee and the surrounding region.
