Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Elk Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Elk, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Elk 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%).
Elk 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 Elk
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Elk. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of households using fuel oil dipped from 717,601 to 663,450, a 8% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Elk
Between 2023 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 278,621 to 282,182, a 1% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,698,411 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Elk
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Elk. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,389,291 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Elk
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 Elk are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 3% gain from 2023, when 6,964 homes used active solar heating.
Elk County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Elk County homeowners purchased a total of 180,681 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Elk’s overall number two heating oil usage fluctuates yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Elk was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Elk County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Elk County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Elk homes heating with oil, picking which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Elk makes a big difference.
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 Elk. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 clients who are budget-conscious. 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 1 Elk cash heating oil companies serving Elk include Friday Gas & Oil Inc and .
Elk Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Elk: 1 companies .
Average Number of Elk Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 663450
Elk Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households in Elk heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Elk temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Elk families are reliant on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Elk County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Elk County Households | Elk County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
1 Elk Number Two Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Elk homes last winter, the Elk community relies on its 1 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Elk, 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 Elk and the surrounding region.
