Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Armstrong Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Armstrong, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Armstrong homeowners 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%).
Armstrong County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. 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
Heating oil has become less popular in Armstrong. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of homeowners using heating oil dipped from 858,758 to 663,450, a 23% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Armstrong
Between 2014 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 198,296 to 282,182, a 42% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 2,528,694 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Armstrong
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Armstrong. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,087,741 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Armstrong
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. Today, 7,204 homes in Armstrong are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 309% gain from 2014, when 1,760 homes used 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 changes yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn additional 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 homes heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 7 heating oil companies that serve Armstrong is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for 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 households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 known by the names “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 heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Some of the 2 Armstrong cash heating oil companies serving Armstrong include Butler Petroleum Corporation and Paul Bradigan Sons Inc.
Armstrong Heating Oil Company Statistics: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Armstrong: 7 companies .
Average Number of Armstrong Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 94779
Armstrong Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Armstrong heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Armstrong temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Armstrong houses are reliant on heating 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Armstrong houses last winter, the Armstrong community looks to its 42 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 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 homes and businesses throughout Armstrong and the surrounding vicinity.