Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Bradford Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Bradford, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Bradford households 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%).
Bradford 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 Bradford
Fuel oil has become less popular in Bradford. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of homeowners using fuel oil declined from 858,758 to 663,450, a 23% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Bradford
Between 2014 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 198,296 to 282,182, a 42% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 2,528,694 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Bradford
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Bradford. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,087,741 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Bradford
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 Bradford are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 309% gain from 2014, when 1,760 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 oil usage varies each year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 residences heating with oil, choosing which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Bradford is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Bradford. Full service companies such as or offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The homeowner 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 families who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better 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. Examples of 2 Bradford cash heating oil companies serving Bradford include Flynn Energy Transport and Hinds Online Discount.
Bradford Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Bradford: 3 companies .
Average Number of Bradford Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 221150
Bradford Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 families in Bradford heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Bradford temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Bradford houses rely on 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 Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Bradford households last winter, the Bradford community looks to its 7 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 fuel oil to homes and businesses throughout Bradford and the surrounding region.
