Homes have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Allegheny, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Allegheny households is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The rest of the homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).

Allegheny County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number of Households)

Year	Natural Gas	Propane	Electricity	Oil	Wood	Solar	Other
2025	2,796,352	282,182	1,447,260	663,450	112,270	7,204	31,146
2024	2,785,913	276,598	1,396,275	685,083	111,416	6,155	32,085
2023	2,698,411	278,621	1,389,291	717,601	111,540	6,964	44,558
2022	2,710,114	282,625	1,337,240	742,118	105,147	5,282	41,959
2021	2,677,533	267,454	1,287,322	760,867	109,832	4,867	46,436
2020	2,656,062	251,472	1,254,850	776,616	113,900	4,554	41,326
2019	2,634,591	235,490	1,222,377	792,365	117,969	4,241	36,216
2018	2,592,386	225,476	1,198,450	806,761	128,110	2,197	35,172
2017	2,598,275	222,650	1,158,937	790,353	127,198	2,225	35,586
2016	2,551,248	209,719	1,133,797	805,822	125,583	1,639	34,565
2015	2,549,385	200,754	1,103,995	837,082	141,835	2,117	38,034
2014	2,528,694	198,296	1,087,741	858,758	148,256	1,760	36,886
2013	2,516,052	195,799	1,086,074	870,064	148,597	1,408	33,941
2012	2,530,063	188,880	1,046,982	936,674	145,089	1,484	31,494
2011	2,516,883	178,387	1,019,764	973,749	137,625	1,545	28,259
2010	2,530,446	177,562	997,925	993,832	126,074	597	29,423

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Allegheny

Oil has become less frequently used in Allegheny. In the 6 years since 2019, the number of families using number two heating oil declined from 792,365 to 663,450, a 16% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Allegheny

Between 2019 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 235,490 to 282,182, a 20% change. Comparing 2019 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,634,591 to 2,796,352, a 6% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Allegheny

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Allegheny. Since 2019, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,222,377 to 1,447,260, a 18% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Allegheny

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, 7,204 homes in Allegheny are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 70% gain from 2019, when 4,241 homes used active solar heating.

Allegheny County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Allegheny County homeowners purchased a total of 4 million gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Allegheny’s overall oil use fluctuates yearly primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Allegheny was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Allegheny County Average Winter Temperature

Heating Season	Average Temperature
2024 - 2025	29.3° F
2023 - 2024	34.8° F

Allegheny County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Allegheny households heating with oil, choosing which of the 17 heating oil companies that serve Allegheny makes a big difference.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Allegheny. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating 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 household 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 number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 2 Allegheny cash heating oil companies serving Allegheny include Cr Augenstein Inc and Howard Gasoline & Oil.

Allegheny Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Allegheny: 17 companies .
Average Number of Allegheny Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 39026

Allegheny Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 homes in Allegheny heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Allegheny temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Allegheny families rely on number two heating oil delivery each winter.

6.1% of Allegheny County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Allegheny County Households	Allegheny County Heating Oil Households
10.7M	663,450

424 Allegheny Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On

With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Allegheny families during this past winter, the Allegheny community relies on its 424 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Allegheny, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to homes and businesses throughout Allegheny and the surrounding area.

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