Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Oswego Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Oswego, used by 4,725,574 or 61% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Oswego households is Electricity, used by 1,365,710 homes (18%). The other homes are heated with Heating Oil (14%), Propane (5%), Other (1%), and Wood (1%).
Oswego 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 Oswego
Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Oswego. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of households using heating oil dropped from 1,901,118 to 1,103,323, a 42% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Oswego
Between 2012 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose 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 increased from 4,044,389 to 4,725,574, a 17% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Oswego
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Oswego. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 775,390 to 1,365,710, a 76% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Oswego
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. Currently, 16,434 homes in Oswego are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 658% gain from 2012, when 2,168 homes had active solar heating.
Oswego County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Oswego County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Oswego’s overall fuel oil consumption changes from year to year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Oswego was 28.1°F, which was 5.4°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Oswego County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 28.1° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 33.5° F |
Oswego County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Oswego homeowners heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 5 heating oil companies that serve Oswego makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 1 “full-service” oil companies that serve Oswego. Full service companies such as Hoffman Fuel Company Of Danbury or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and furnace 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 family 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 households 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 you're running low. Some of the 2 Oswego cash heating oil companies serving Oswego include The Glider Oil Company Inc and North Shore Oil Company Inc.
Oswego Fuel Oil Company Statistics: Oil Companies Serving Oswego: 5 companies .
Average Number of Oswego Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 220665
Oswego Heating Oil Delivery Overview
1,103,323 families in Oswego heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Oswego temperatures drop as low as 22.4° F each winter. 14.2% of Oswego households depend on oil delivery each winter.
7% of Oswego County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Oswego County Households | Oswego County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 15.6M | 1.1M |
29 Oswego Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 664,748,714 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Oswego homeowners during this past winter, the Oswego community depends on its 29 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 Oswego, 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 Oswego and the surrounding area.
