Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Erie Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Erie, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Erie households 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%).
Erie 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 Erie
Oil has become less popular in Erie. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of families using heating oil dipped from 742,118 to 663,450, a 11% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Erie
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 Erie
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Erie. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,337,240 to 1,447,260, a 8% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Erie
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. Now, 7,204 homes in Erie are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 36% gain from 2022, when 5,282 homes utilized active solar heating.
Erie County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Erie County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Erie’s overall number two heating oil usage fluctuates annually correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ furnaces need to burn additional number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Erie was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Erie County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Erie County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Erie households heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Erie 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 Erie. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and HVAC 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 customers who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Erie cash heating oil companies serving Erie include Lowbucs Inc and Lake Erie Biofuels LLC.
Erie Number Two Heating Oil Company Statistics: Fuel oil Companies Serving Erie: 2 companies .
Average Number of Erie Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 331725
Erie Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Erie heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Erie temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Erie residences are reliant on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Erie County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Erie County Households | Erie County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
4 Erie Fuel Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Erie houses last winter, the Erie community looks to its 4 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Erie, 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 Erie and the surrounding area.
