Homeowners have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Armstrong, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Armstrong homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The remaining homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).

Armstrong 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 Armstrong

Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Armstrong. In the 10 years since 2015, the number of households using oil declined from 837,082 to 663,450, a 21% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Armstrong

Between 2015 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 200,754 to 282,182, a 41% change. Comparing 2015 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,549,385 to 2,796,352, a 10% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Armstrong

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Armstrong. Since 2015, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,103,995 to 1,447,260, a 31% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Armstrong

Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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, 7,204 homes in Armstrong are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 240% gain from 2015, when 2,117 homes incorporated active solar heating.

Armstrong County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Armstrong County homeowners purchased a total of 794,996 gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Armstrong’s overall fuel oil consumption varies annually as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Armstrong was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Armstrong County Average Winter Temperature

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

Armstrong County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Armstrong residences heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 7 heating oil companies that serve Armstrong can drastically impact the cost of home heating.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Armstrong. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic 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 referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Armstrong cash heating oil companies serving Armstrong include Butler Petroleum Corporation and Paul Bradigan Sons Inc.

Armstrong Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Armstrong: 7 companies .
Average Number of Armstrong Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 94779

Armstrong Heating Oil Delivery Overview

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

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

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

42 Armstrong Fuel Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On

With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Armstrong homes during this past winter, the Armstrong community depends on its 42 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal (also known as a “rack”). In the case of Armstrong, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Armstrong and the surrounding region.

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