Something went wrong
hamburger menu icon
User Icon

Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Ohio Home Heating Fuel Comparison

Households have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Ohio, used by 40,284,169 or 63% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Ohio residents is Electricity, used by 17,850,536 homes (28%). The remaining homes are heated with Propane (5%), Wood (2%), Heating Oil (1%), and Other (1%).

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Ohio

Oil has become decreasing in demand in Ohio. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of families using heating oil fell from 1,235,021 to 774,909, a 37% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Ohio

Between 2017 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,903,335 to 3,081,795, a 6% change. Comparing 2017 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 36,733,211 to 40,284,169, a 10% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Ohio

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Ohio. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 13,055,094 to 17,850,536, a 37% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Ohio

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, 10,860 homes in Ohio are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 2% drop from 2017, when 11,038 homes used active solar heating.

Ohio Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Ohio households heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 39 heating oil companies that serve Ohio plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Ohio. 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 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 customers who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 2 Ohio cash heating oil companies serving Ohio include Arnolds Marathon and Adams Heating & Cooling.

Ohio Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Ohio: 39 companies . Average Number of Ohio Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 100023

Ohio Heating Oil Delivery Overview

211,698 households in Ohio heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Ohio temperatures drop as low as 30° F each winter. 1% of Ohio residences depend on heating oil delivery each winter.

1% of Ohio Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Ohio HouseholdsOhio Heating Oil Households
63.5M774,909

39 Ohio Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance

With 63,347,966.682 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Ohio homes during this past winter, the Ohio community relies on its 39 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Ohio, two of the closest terminals are Citgo in Linden, NJ and Citgo in Linden, NJ. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Ohio and the surrounding region.