Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Jefferson Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Jefferson, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Jefferson homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,365,710 homes (18%). The remaining homes are heated with Heating Oil (14%), Propane (5%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Jefferson 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 Jefferson
Oil has become less frequently used in Jefferson. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of families using fuel oil fell from 1,901,118 to 1,103,323, a 42% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Jefferson
Between 2012 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 237,738 to 377,922, a 59% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 4,044,389 to 4,725,574, a 17% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Jefferson
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Jefferson. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 775,390 to 1,365,710, a 76% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Jefferson
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, 16,434 homes in Jefferson are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 658% gain from 2012, when 2,168 homes used active solar heating.
Jefferson County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Jefferson County homeowners purchased a total of 349,865 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Jefferson’s overall fuel oil use varies yearly based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Jefferson was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Jefferson County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Jefferson County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Jefferson families heating with oil, picking which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Jefferson can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Jefferson. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The family does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for clients who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Jefferson cash heating oil companies serving Jefferson include Philly Fuels Inc and Philly Fuels Inc.
Jefferson Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Jefferson: 2 companies .
Average Number of Jefferson Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 551662
Jefferson Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 homes in Jefferson heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Jefferson temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Jefferson residences rely on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
7% of Jefferson County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Jefferson County Households | Jefferson County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
3 Jefferson Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 664,748,714 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Jefferson households during this past winter, the Jefferson community depends on its 3 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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson and the surrounding region.
