Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Erie Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Erie, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Erie households 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%).
Erie 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 Erie
Heating oil has become losing popularity in Erie. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of residents using oil declined from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Erie
Between 2013 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 195,799 to 282,182, a 44% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Erie
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Erie. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Erie
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 Erie are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes had 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 heating oil use varies annually correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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, picking which of the 2 heating oil companies that serve Erie can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
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 Erie. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners 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 oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer 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 families who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower 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 Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Erie: 2 companies .
Average Number of Erie Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 331725
Erie Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 families 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 depend on heating 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 Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Erie residences during this past winter, the Erie community depends on its 4 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Erie, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to homes and businesses throughout Erie and the surrounding vicinity.
