Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Jefferson Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Jefferson, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Jefferson residents 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%).
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 losing popularity in Jefferson. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of residents using heating oil declined from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Jefferson
Between 2013 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped 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 Jefferson
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Jefferson. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% 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 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 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 oil usage varies each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ furnaces need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 families heating with fuel 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 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 Jefferson. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners 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 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: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for homeowners who are looking to save money. 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. Some of the 1 Jefferson cash heating oil companies serving Jefferson include Campbell & Burns Inc and .
Jefferson Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Jefferson: 1 companies .
Average Number of Jefferson Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 663450
Jefferson Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Jefferson heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Jefferson temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Jefferson houses rely on 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 Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Jefferson homes the last heating season, the Jefferson community depends on its 1 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 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 area.
