Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Jefferson Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Jefferson, used by 40,284,169 or 63% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Jefferson residents is Electricity, used by 17,850,536 homes (28%). The other homes are heated with Propane (5%), Wood (2%), Heating Oil (1%), and Other (1%).
Jefferson County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number of Households)
| Date | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40284169 | 3081795 | 17850536 | 774909 | 1083121 | 10860 | 403836 |
| 2024 | 38930705 | 3174414 | 16488724 | 892843 | 979276 | 17062 | 417066 |
| 2023 | 37590944 | 3255196 | 15199404 | 1008409 | 880848 | 22803 | 427844 |
| 2022 | 37151905 | 3221760 | 14587823 | 1065149 | 866531 | 20673 | 438560 |
| 2021 | 37128867 | 3134944 | 14211401 | 1100859 | 903769 | 15657 | 445157 |
| 2020 | 37003382 | 3083444 | 13869204 | 1132851 | 942478 | 13449 | 450995 |
| 2019 | 36840178 | 3020916 | 13561816 | 1172096 | 978933 | 11917 | 457127 |
| 2018 | 36767219 | 2943873 | 13286860 | 1206655 | 1014383 | 11247 | 453770 |
| 2017 | 36733211 | 2903335 | 13055094 | 1235021 | 1047439 | 11038 | 444277 |
| 2016 | 36623358 | 2883233 | 12814934 | 1270071 | 1069881 | 11466 | 436330 |
| 2015 | 36586577 | 2871736 | 12538674 | 1324701 | 1085024 | 12269 | 422257 |
| 2014 | 36648643 | 2877547 | 12236610 | 1394959 | 1100515 | 11920 | 402497 |
| 2013 | 36700523 | 2911451 | 11934916 | 1470260 | 1109606 | 11282 | 384399 |
| 2012 | 36842930 | 2965805 | 11629674 | 1548843 | 1094960 | 10751 | 370550 |
| 2011 | 37027467 | 3013572 | 11342268 | 1639364 | 1055619 | 10419 | 359450 |
| 2010 | 37193755 | 3071292 | 11063784 | 1752123 | 1007864 | 11729 | 360649 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Jefferson
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Jefferson. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil dipped from 1,470,260 to 774,909, a 47% drop.
Number of Households Using Heating Oil in Jefferson County
| Date | Households |
|---|---|
| 2025-11-11 | 61948 |
| 2025-11-10 | 61953 |
| 2025-11-09 | 61959 |
| 2025-11-08 | 61965 |
| 2025-11-07 | 62013 |
| 2025-11-06 | 62017 |
| 2025-11-05 | 62028 |
| 2025-11-04 | 62038 |
| 2025-11-03 | 62061 |
| 2025-11-02 | 62071 |
| 2025-11-01 | 62078 |
| 2025-10-31 | 62077 |
| 2025-10-30 | 62078 |
| 2025-10-29 | 62079 |
| 2025-10-28 | 62085 |
| 2025-10-27 | 62099 |
| 2025-10-26 | 62119 |
| 2025-10-25 | 62135 |
| 2025-10-24 | 62147 |
| 2025-10-23 | 62155 |
| 2025-10-22 | 62205 |
| 2025-10-21 | 62213 |
| 2025-10-20 | 62220 |
| 2025-10-19 | 62228 |
| 2025-10-18 | 62242 |
| 2025-10-17 | 62249 |
| 2025-10-16 | 62253 |
| 2025-10-15 | 62318 |
| 2025-10-14 | 62386 |
| 2025-10-13 | 62390 |
| 2025-10-12 | 62397 |
| 2025-10-11 | 62411 |
| 2025-10-10 | 62419 |
| 2025-10-09 | 62427 |
| 2025-10-08 | 62434 |
| 2025-10-07 | 62484 |
| 2025-10-06 | 62492 |
| 2025-10-05 | 62508 |
| 2025-10-04 | 62520 |
| 2025-10-03 | 62539 |
| 2025-10-02 | 62554 |
| 2025-10-01 | 62560 |
| 2025-09-30 | 62561 |
| 2025-09-29 | 62562 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Jefferson
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,911,451 to 3,081,795, a 6% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 36,700,523 to 40,284,169, a 10% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Jefferson
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Jefferson. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 11,934,916 to 17,850,536, a 50% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Jefferson
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. Currently, 10,860 homes in Jefferson are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 4% drop from 2013, when 11,282 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Jefferson County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Jefferson County homeowners purchased a total of 260,300 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Jefferson’s overall number two heating oil usage varies each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Jefferson was 30°F, which was 0.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Jefferson County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 27° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 26.1° F |
Jefferson County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Jefferson families heating with oil, selecting which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Jefferson is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Jefferson. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The client 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 homeowners who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 1 Jefferson cash heating oil companies serving Jefferson include Riley Petroleum Products Llc and .
Jefferson Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Jefferson: 1 companies . Average Number of Jefferson Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 411
Jefferson Heating Oil Delivery Overview
211,698 residences in Jefferson heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Jefferson temperatures drop as low as 30° F each winter. 1% of Jefferson families depend on oil delivery each winter.
2.27% of Jefferson County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Jefferson County Households | Jefferson County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 168,251 | 3,825 |
1 Jefferson Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 63,347,966.682 gallons of oil delivered to Jefferson residences last winter, the Jefferson community relies on its 1 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Jefferson, two of the closest terminals are Citgo in Linden, NJ and Citgo in Linden, NJ. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Jefferson and the surrounding area.
