Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Bedford Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular 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 rest of the 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
Fuel oil has become less popular in Bedford. In the 9 years since 2016, the number of residents using heating oil dipped 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 homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped 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 rose 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 more popular in Bedford. Since 2016, the number of homes heating with electricity increased 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. Now, 7,204 homes in Bedford are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 340% gain from 2016, when 1,639 homes incorporated 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 number two heating oil usage fluctuates yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn increasing amounts of oil to keep the house warm inside. 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 residences heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Bedford can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose 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 heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 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 Bedford cash heating oil companies serving Bedford include Blair County Oil And Supply Inc and Stoudnour Petroleum Inc.
Bedford Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Bedford: 3 companies .
Average Number of Bedford Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 221150
Bedford Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Bedford heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Bedford temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Bedford families depend on number two heating 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 Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
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 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 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 homes and businesses throughout Bedford and the surrounding region.
