Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Juniata Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Juniata, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Juniata households 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%).
Juniata 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 Juniata
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Juniata. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of families using heating oil declined from 685,083 to 663,450, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Juniata
Between 2024 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 276,598 to 282,182, a 2% change. Comparing 2024 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel held steady at 2,796,352, a 0% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Juniata
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Juniata. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,396,275 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Juniata
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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 Juniata are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 17% gain from 2024, when 6,155 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Juniata County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Juniata County homeowners purchased a total of 727,241 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Juniata’s overall fuel oil usage fluctuates from year to year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Juniata was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Juniata County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Juniata County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Juniata homes heating with oil, picking which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Juniata is an important decision.
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 Juniata. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic 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 referred to as “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 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. Examples of 2 Juniata cash heating oil companies serving Juniata include Snedeker Energy Llc and Hilltop Oil Co.
Juniata Number Two Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Juniata: 3 companies .
Average Number of Juniata Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 221150
Juniata Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Juniata heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Juniata temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Juniata homes depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Juniata County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Juniata County Households | Juniata County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
5 Juniata Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Juniata homeowners the last heating season, the Juniata community looks to its 5 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 Juniata, 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 Juniata and the surrounding area.
