Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Columbia Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Columbia, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Columbia families 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%).
Columbia 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 Columbia
Fuel oil has become less popular in Columbia. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil declined from 790,353 to 663,450, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Columbia
Between 2017 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 222,650 to 282,182, a 27% change. Comparing 2017 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 2,598,275 to 2,796,352, a 8% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Columbia
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Columbia. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,158,937 to 1,447,260, a 25% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Columbia
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. As it stands today, 7,204 homes in Columbia are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 224% gain from 2017, when 2,225 homes had active solar heating.
Columbia County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Columbia County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Columbia’s overall oil usage fluctuates annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ furnaces 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 Columbia was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Columbia County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Columbia County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Columbia homes heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 8 heating oil companies that serve Columbia plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Columbia. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating 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 client does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for clients 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. Examples of 2 Columbia cash heating oil companies serving Columbia include Jack Rich Inc and Millers Gas & Oil Service Inc.
Columbia Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Columbia: 8 companies .
Average Number of Columbia Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 82931
Columbia Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Columbia heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Columbia temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Columbia families depend on heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Columbia County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Columbia County Households | Columbia County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
18 Columbia Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Columbia houses during this past winter, the Columbia community relies on its 18 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Columbia, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Columbia and the surrounding vicinity.
