Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Clearfield Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Clearfield, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Clearfield households 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%).
Clearfield 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 Clearfield
Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Clearfield. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of homeowners using fuel oil declined from 742,118 to 663,450, a 11% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Clearfield
Between 2022 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel remained stable at 282,182, a 0% change. Comparing 2022 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 2,710,114 to 2,796,352, a 3% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Clearfield
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Clearfield. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,337,240 to 1,447,260, a 8% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Clearfield
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 Clearfield are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 36% gain from 2022, when 5,282 homes utilized active solar heating.
Clearfield County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Clearfield County homeowners purchased a total of 4 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Clearfield’s overall heating oil use changes each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Clearfield was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Clearfield County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Clearfield County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Clearfield families heating with oil, selecting which of the 8 heating oil companies that serve Clearfield 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 Clearfield. 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 oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for clients who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Clearfield cash heating oil companies serving Clearfield include Jacobs Oil Co Inc and Jj Powell Inc.
Clearfield Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Clearfield: 8 companies .
Average Number of Clearfield Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 82931
Clearfield Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Clearfield heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Clearfield temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Clearfield families rely on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Clearfield County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Clearfield County Households | Clearfield County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
107 Clearfield Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Clearfield families last winter, the Clearfield community depends on its 107 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 Clearfield, 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 Clearfield and the surrounding area.