Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Livingston Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Livingston, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Livingston residents 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%).
Livingston 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 Livingston
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Livingston. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of households using heating oil dipped from 1,212,850 to 1,103,323, a 9% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Livingston
Between 2023 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel dropped from 402,335 to 377,922, a 6% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 4,581,041 to 4,725,574, a 3% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Livingston
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Livingston. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 1,263,700 to 1,365,710, a 8% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Livingston
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all 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 (similar to a hot water heater) in the basement. Now, 16,434 homes in Livingston are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 47% gain from 2023, when 11,208 homes had active solar heating.
Livingston County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Livingston County homeowners purchased a total of 129,151 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Livingston’s overall heating oil use varies each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Livingston was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Livingston County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Livingston County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Livingston households heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Livingston 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 choose one of the 1 “full-service” oil companies that serve Livingston. Full service companies such as Valley Energy Services LLC Valley Fuels or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 families who are on a budget. 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. A few of the 1 Livingston cash heating oil companies serving Livingston include Frank T Rose Roses Enterprises and .
Livingston Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Livingston: 2 companies .
Average Number of Livingston Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 551662
Livingston Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 families in Livingston heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Livingston temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Livingston families depend on oil delivery each winter.
7% of Livingston County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Livingston County Households | Livingston County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
2 Livingston Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 664,748,714 gallons of oil delivered to Livingston residences last winter, the Livingston community looks to its 2 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Livingston, 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 homes and businesses throughout Livingston and the surrounding region.
