Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Beaver Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Beaver, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Beaver families 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%).
Beaver 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 Beaver
Number two heating oil has become losing popularity in Beaver. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of homeowners using heating oil dropped from 685,083 to 663,450, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Beaver
Between 2024 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 276,598 to 282,182, a 2% change. Comparing 2024 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel remained unchanged at 2,796,352, a 0% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Beaver
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Beaver. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,396,275 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Beaver
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. Now, 7,204 homes in Beaver are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 17% gain from 2024, when 6,155 homes had active solar heating.
Beaver County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Beaver County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Beaver’s overall fuel oil use fluctuates from year to year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Beaver was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Beaver County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Beaver County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Beaver families heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 5 heating oil companies that serve Beaver 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 Beaver. 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 HVAC 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 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 families who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower 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. Examples of 2 Beaver cash heating oil companies serving Beaver include Adams Petroleum Products Inc and Kehm Oil Co.
Beaver Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Heating oil Companies Serving Beaver: 5 companies .
Average Number of Beaver Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 132690
Beaver Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Beaver heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Beaver temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Beaver homes depend on heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Beaver County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Beaver County Households | Beaver County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
22 Beaver Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Beaver houses during this past winter, the Beaver community relies on its 22 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Beaver, 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 Beaver and the surrounding vicinity.
