Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Clearfield Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Clearfield, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Clearfield 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%).
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
Fuel oil has become less frequently used in Clearfield. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of households using fuel oil fell from 760,867 to 663,450, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Clearfield
Between 2021 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased 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 grew from 2,677,533 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Clearfield
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Clearfield. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,287,322 to 1,447,260, a 12% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Clearfield
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. Currently, 7,204 homes in Clearfield are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 48% gain from 2021, when 4,867 homes used 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 usage varies yearly primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 residences heating with oil, selecting which of the 8 heating oil companies that serve Clearfield is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value 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 clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are on a budget. 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. 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 Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 82931
Clearfield Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 families in Clearfield heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Clearfield temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Clearfield homes are reliant on number two heating 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Clearfield houses the last heating season, the Clearfield community relies on its 107 oil companies when temperatures dip. Oil delivery has two parts to it: 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 oil to residences and companies throughout Clearfield and the surrounding region.