Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Juniata Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Juniata, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Juniata households 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%).
Juniata County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. 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 losing popularity in Juniata. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of residents using number two heating oil dropped from 936,674 to 663,450, a 29% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Juniata
Between 2012 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 188,880 to 282,182, a 49% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,530,063 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Juniata
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Juniata. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,046,982 to 1,447,260, a 38% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Juniata
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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 385% gain from 2012, when 1,484 homes used 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 oil consumption varies yearly based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional 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 heating oil, choosing which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Juniata makes a big difference.
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 Juniata. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic 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 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 households who are on a budget. 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 2 Juniata cash heating oil companies serving Juniata include Snedeker Energy Llc and Hilltop Oil Co.
Juniata Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Juniata: 3 companies .
Average Number of Juniata Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 221150
Juniata Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 homes 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 families depend 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 Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Juniata homeowners last winter, the Juniata community looks to its 5 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. Oil delivery has two parts to it: 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 fuel oil to homes and businesses throughout Juniata and the surrounding area.
