Cheapest Lancaster County Heating Oil Price History
Updated on January 15, 2026
| Date | Price |
|---|---|
| 01/14/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/13/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/12/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/11/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/10/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/09/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/08/2026 | $2.839 |
| 01/07/2026 | $2.929 |
| 01/06/2026 | $2.929 |
| 01/05/2026 | $2.929 |
| 01/04/2026 | $2.929 |
| 01/03/2026 | $2.929 |
| 01/02/2026 | $2.929 |
| 01/01/2026 | $2.929 |
| 12/31/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/30/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/29/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/28/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/27/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/26/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/25/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/24/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/23/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/22/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/21/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/20/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/19/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/18/2025 | $2.929 |
| 12/17/2025 | $2.979 |
| 12/16/2025 | $2.990 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Lancaster Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Lancaster, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Lancaster residents 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%).
Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Fuel oil has become less popular in Lancaster. In the 8 years since 2017, the number of households using heating oil dropped from 790,353 to 663,450, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Lancaster
Between 2017 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 222,650 to 282,182, a 27% change. Comparing 2017 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 2,598,275 to 2,796,352, a 8% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Lancaster
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Lancaster. Since 2017, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,158,937 to 1,447,260, a 25% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Lancaster
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 Lancaster are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 224% gain from 2017, when 2,225 homes utilized active solar heating.
Lancaster County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Lancaster County homeowners purchased a total of 24 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Lancaster’s overall number two heating oil usage fluctuates yearly as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Lancaster was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Lancaster County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Lancaster County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Lancaster homes heating with oil, picking which of the 31 heating oil companies that serve Lancaster is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 126 “full-service” oil companies that serve Lancaster. Full service companies such as Aero Energy or Suburban Propane offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and furnace 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 families who are on a budget. 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 when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. A few of the 2 Lancaster cash heating oil companies serving Lancaster include Talley Petroleum Enterprises Inc and Peggy's Fuel Oil.
Lancaster Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Lancaster: 31 companies .
Average Number of Lancaster Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 0
