Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Bedford Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Bedford, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Bedford families is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The other homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).
Bedford 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 Bedford
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Bedford. In the 9 years since 2016, the number of households using oil decreased from 805,822 to 663,450, a 18% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Bedford
Between 2016 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 209,719 to 282,182, a 35% change. Comparing 2016 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 2,551,248 to 2,796,352, a 10% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Bedford
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Bedford. Since 2016, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,133,797 to 1,447,260, a 28% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Bedford
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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 Bedford are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 340% gain from 2016, when 1,639 homes had active solar heating.
Bedford County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Bedford County homeowners purchased a total of 576,243 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Bedford’s overall fuel oil usage varies yearly based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Bedford was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Bedford County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Bedford County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Bedford homes heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Bedford plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Bedford. Full service companies such as or offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating 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 return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. A few of the 2 Bedford cash heating oil companies serving Bedford include Blair County Oil And Supply Inc and Stoudnour Petroleum Inc.
Bedford Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Heating oil Companies Serving Bedford: 3 companies .
Average Number of Bedford Households Served per Heating Oil company : 221150
Bedford Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Bedford heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Bedford temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Bedford households are reliant on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Bedford County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Bedford County Households | Bedford County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
8 Bedford Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Bedford houses the last heating season, the Bedford community relies on its 8 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 Bedford, 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 Bedford and the surrounding region.
