Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Juniata Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Juniata, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Juniata residents is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The rest of the 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
Oil has become less popular in Juniata. In the 7 years since 2018, the number of residents using number two heating oil decreased from 806,761 to 663,450, a 18% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Juniata
Between 2018 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 225,476 to 282,182, a 25% change. Comparing 2018 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 2,592,386 to 2,796,352, a 8% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Juniata
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Juniata. Since 2018, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,198,450 to 1,447,260, a 21% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Juniata
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. Now, 7,204 homes in Juniata are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 228% gain from 2018, when 2,197 homes utilized 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 heating oil use changes yearly correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of 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 homeowners heating with oil, choosing which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Juniata is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick 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 fuel oil delivery and heating system 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 customer 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 exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Examples of 2 Juniata cash heating oil companies serving Juniata include Snedeker Energy Llc and Hilltop Oil Co.
Juniata Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Juniata: 3 companies .
Average Number of Juniata Homes Served per Heating Oil company : 221150
Juniata Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 families in Juniata heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Juniata temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Juniata households rely on heating 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Juniata families the last heating season, the Juniata community depends on its 5 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 oil to homes and businesses throughout Juniata and the surrounding area.
