Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Juniata Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a host 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 families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Juniata homeowners 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
Oil has become less popular in Juniata. In the 6 years since 2019, the number of homeowners using oil decreased from 792,365 to 663,450, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Juniata
Between 2019 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 235,490 to 282,182, a 20% change. Comparing 2019 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 2,634,591 to 2,796,352, a 6% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Juniata
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Juniata. Since 2019, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,222,377 to 1,447,260, a 18% 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 70% gain from 2019, when 4,241 homes had 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 consumption varies each year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ furnaces need to burn additional heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 families heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Juniata makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value 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 families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler 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 client does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.
Discount Oil Companies: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for clients who are on a budget. 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 you're running low. Some of the 2 Juniata cash heating oil companies serving Juniata include Snedeker Energy Llc and Hilltop Oil Co.
Juniata Oil Company Statistics: Oil Companies Serving Juniata: 3 companies .
Average Number of Juniata Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 221150
Juniata Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Juniata heat their homes with fuel 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 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 Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Juniata homes the last heating season, the Juniata community looks to its 5 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 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 vicinity.
