Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Livingston Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Livingston, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Livingston households 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%).
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 decreasing in demand in Livingston. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of households using fuel oil dipped from 1,343,665 to 1,103,323, a 18% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Livingston
Between 2020 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 353,944 to 377,922, a 7% change. Comparing 2020 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 4,504,504 to 4,725,574, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Livingston
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Livingston. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,014,730 to 1,365,710, a 35% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Livingston
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 Livingston are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 87% gain from 2020, when 8,778 homes incorporated 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 fuel oil usage changes annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional 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 families heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Livingston makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 1 “full-service” oil companies that serve Livingston. Full service companies such as Valley Energy Services LLC Valley Fuels or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 households who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 1 Livingston cash heating oil companies serving Livingston include Frank T Rose Roses Enterprises and .
Livingston Heating Oil Company Statistics: Fuel oil Companies Serving Livingston: 2 companies .
Average Number of Livingston Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 551662
Livingston Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 residences in Livingston heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Livingston temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Livingston households rely on number two heating 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 Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 664,748,714 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Livingston houses the last heating season, the Livingston community looks to its 2 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 number two heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Livingston and the surrounding region.
