Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Huntingdon Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Huntingdon, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Huntingdon homeowners is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The remaining homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).
Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon
Fuel oil has become losing popularity in Huntingdon. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of residents using oil declined from 717,601 to 663,450, a 8% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Huntingdon
Between 2023 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up 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 jumped from 2,698,411 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Huntingdon
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Huntingdon. 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 Huntingdon
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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 Huntingdon are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 3% gain from 2023, when 6,964 homes used active solar heating.
Huntingdon County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Huntingdon County homeowners purchased a total of 214,236 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Huntingdon’s overall fuel oil use fluctuates annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Huntingdon was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Huntingdon County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Huntingdon County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Huntingdon families heating with number two heating oil, choosing which of the 6 heating oil companies that serve Huntingdon plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Huntingdon. 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 furnace repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 families who are budget-conscious. 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 Huntingdon cash heating oil companies serving Huntingdon include C S Myers & Son Inc and Nittany Oil Company Inc.
Huntingdon Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Huntingdon: 6 companies .
Average Number of Huntingdon Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 110575
Huntingdon Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 homes in Huntingdon heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Huntingdon temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Huntingdon houses are reliant on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Huntingdon County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Huntingdon County Households | Huntingdon County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
9 Huntingdon Fuel Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Huntingdon households during this past winter, the Huntingdon community looks to its 9 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 Huntingdon, 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 Huntingdon and the surrounding area.
