Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Elk Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Elk, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Elk homeowners 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%).
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
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Elk. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of residents using heating oil decreased from 790,353 to 663,450, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Elk
Between 2017 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up 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 jumped from 2,598,275 to 2,796,352, a 8% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Elk
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Elk. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,158,937 to 1,447,260, a 25% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Elk
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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 Elk are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 224% gain from 2017, when 2,225 homes utilized 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 use varies from year to year correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 homeowners heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Elk makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Elk. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The homeowner 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 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 you're running low. Some of the 1 Elk cash heating oil companies serving Elk include Friday Gas & Oil Inc and .
Elk Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Elk: 1 companies .
Average Number of Elk Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 663450
Elk Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 families in Elk heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Elk temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Elk houses 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 Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Elk homeowners last winter, the Elk community looks to 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 #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Elk and the surrounding vicinity.
