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 most common choice in Bedford, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of households. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Bedford residents 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
Oil has become less frequently used in Bedford. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of residents using number two heating oil dipped from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Bedford
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 195,799 to 282,182, a 44% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Bedford
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Bedford. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% 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 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 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 varies yearly primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional 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 homeowners heating with oil, picking which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Bedford is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want 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 heating oil delivery and furnace 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 customer does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households 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 when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. A few of the 2 Bedford cash heating oil companies serving Bedford include Blair County Oil And Supply Inc and Stoudnour Petroleum Inc.
Bedford Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Bedford: 3 companies .
Average Number of Bedford Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 221150
Bedford Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Bedford heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Bedford temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Bedford households depend on 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 Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Bedford homes during this past winter, the Bedford community relies on its 8 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 Bedford, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Bedford and the surrounding area.
