Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Crawford Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Crawford, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Crawford homeowners 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%).
Crawford 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 Crawford
Oil has become less frequently used in Crawford. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of homeowners using oil declined from 742,118 to 663,450, a 11% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Crawford
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 Crawford
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Crawford. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,337,240 to 1,447,260, a 8% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Crawford
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. With an “active” solar heating system, liquid is circulated 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 Crawford are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 36% gain from 2022, when 5,282 homes used active solar heating.
Crawford County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Crawford County homeowners purchased a total of 392,336 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Crawford’s overall oil usage varies from year to year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Crawford was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Crawford County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Crawford County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Crawford families heating with oil, choosing which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Crawford can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
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 Crawford. 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 oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Crawford cash heating oil companies serving Crawford include Harned Oil Inc and Klasen Mcquiston Energy Corporation.
Crawford Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Crawford: 3 companies .
Average Number of Crawford Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 221150
Crawford Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Crawford heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Crawford temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Crawford households depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Crawford County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Crawford County Households | Crawford County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
5 Crawford Number Two Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Crawford residences the last heating season, the Crawford community relies on its 5 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 Crawford, 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 Crawford and the surrounding vicinity.
