Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Jefferson Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Jefferson, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Jefferson homeowners 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
Oil has become losing popularity in Jefferson. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of residents using number two heating oil dropped from 776,616 to 663,450, a 15% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Jefferson
Between 2020 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 251,472 to 282,182, a 12% change. Comparing 2020 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 2,656,062 to 2,796,352, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Jefferson
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Jefferson. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,254,850 to 1,447,260, a 15% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Jefferson
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Jefferson are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 58% gain from 2020, when 4,554 homes utilized 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 usage fluctuates annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ furnaces need to burn increasing amounts of heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 residences 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 prefer 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 oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The household 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 clients who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 1 Jefferson cash heating oil companies serving Jefferson include Campbell & Burns Inc and .
Jefferson Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Jefferson: 1 companies .
Average Number of Jefferson Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 663450
Jefferson Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Jefferson heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Jefferson temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Jefferson households are reliant on number two heating 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 Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Jefferson residences the last heating season, the Jefferson community looks to 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 #2 heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Jefferson and the surrounding region.
