Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Jefferson Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Jefferson, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Jefferson families 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%).
Jefferson 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 Jefferson
Heating oil has become less popular in Jefferson. In the 3 years since 2022, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil decreased from 742,118 to 663,450, a 11% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Jefferson
Between 2022 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel stayed the same at 282,182, a 0% change. Comparing 2022 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,710,114 to 2,796,352, a 3% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Jefferson
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Jefferson. Since 2022, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,337,240 to 1,447,260, a 8% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Jefferson
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 Jefferson are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 36% gain from 2022, when 5,282 homes used active solar heating.
Jefferson County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Jefferson County homeowners purchased a total of 143,254 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Jefferson’s overall fuel oil consumption fluctuates yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Jefferson was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Jefferson County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Jefferson County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Jefferson homes heating with oil, picking which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Jefferson can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Jefferson. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic number two 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 family 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 households who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the number two heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. A few of the 1 Jefferson cash heating oil companies serving Jefferson include Campbell & Burns Inc and .
Jefferson Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Jefferson: 1 companies .
Average Number of Jefferson Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 663450
Jefferson Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households in Jefferson heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Jefferson temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Jefferson homes are reliant on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Jefferson County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Jefferson County Households | Jefferson County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
1 Jefferson Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Jefferson residences last winter, the Jefferson community relies on its 1 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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson and the surrounding vicinity.
