Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Ontario Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Ontario, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Ontario 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%).
Ontario 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 Ontario
Fuel oil has become decreasing in demand in Ontario. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of families using number two heating oil declined from 1,212,850 to 1,103,323, a 9% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Ontario
Between 2023 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel declined 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 jumped from 4,581,041 to 4,725,574, a 3% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Ontario
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Ontario. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,263,700 to 1,365,710, a 8% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Ontario
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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 Ontario are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 47% gain from 2023, when 11,208 homes used active solar heating.
Ontario County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Ontario County homeowners purchased a total of 86,743 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Ontario’s overall fuel oil usage varies each year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Ontario was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Ontario County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Ontario County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Ontario households heating with heating oil, choosing which of the 4 heating oil companies that serve Ontario makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Ontario. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic heating 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are budget-conscious. 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. Some of the 2 Ontario cash heating oil companies serving Ontario include Superior Plus Energy Services Inc Griffith Energy and Main Energy Inc.
Ontario Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Ontario: 4 companies .
Average Number of Ontario Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 275831
Ontario Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 residences in Ontario heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Ontario temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Ontario families are reliant on oil delivery each winter.
7% of Ontario County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Ontario County Households | Ontario County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
15 Ontario Fuel Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 664,748,714 gallons of heating oil delivered to Ontario families during this past winter, the Ontario community depends on its 15 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. Oil delivery has two parts to it: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Ontario, 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 Ontario and the surrounding region.
