Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Bradford Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Bradford, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Bradford homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The remaining homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).
Bradford 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 Bradford
Number two heating oil has become less popular in Bradford. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of residents using heating oil declined from 760,867 to 663,450, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Bradford
Between 2021 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 267,454 to 282,182, a 6% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 2,677,533 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Bradford
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Bradford. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,287,322 to 1,447,260, a 12% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Bradford
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. As it stands today, 7,204 homes in Bradford are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 48% gain from 2021, when 4,867 homes used active solar heating.
Bradford County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Bradford County homeowners purchased a total of 653,032 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Bradford’s overall number two heating oil use fluctuates yearly based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ furnaces need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Bradford was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Bradford County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Bradford County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Bradford families heating with fuel oil, choosing which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Bradford can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Bradford. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel 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 family 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 customers who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the number two heating 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 Bradford cash heating oil companies serving Bradford include Flynn Energy Transport and Hinds Online Discount.
Bradford Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Bradford: 3 companies .
Average Number of Bradford Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 221150
Bradford Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Bradford heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Bradford temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Bradford homes depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Bradford County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Bradford County Households | Bradford County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
7 Bradford Number Two Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Bradford homes last winter, the Bradford community looks to its 7 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Bradford, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Bradford and the surrounding area.
