Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Luzerne Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Luzerne, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Luzerne 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%).
Luzerne 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 Luzerne
Oil has become losing popularity in Luzerne. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of families using number two heating oil declined from 760,867 to 663,450, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Luzerne
Between 2021 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 267,454 to 282,182, a 6% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,677,533 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Luzerne
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Luzerne. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity jumped from 1,287,322 to 1,447,260, a 12% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Luzerne
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 Luzerne are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 48% gain from 2021, when 4,867 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Luzerne County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Luzerne County homeowners purchased a total of 11 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Luzerne’s overall oil use varies annually depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Luzerne was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Luzerne County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Luzerne County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Luzerne homeowners heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 13 heating oil companies that serve Luzerne is an important decision.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Luzerne. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic number two 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 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 looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the 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 Luzerne cash heating oil companies serving Luzerne include Buy the Gallon LLC and Union Petroleum Co.
Luzerne Oil Company Statistics: Oil Companies Serving Luzerne: 13 companies .
Average Number of Luzerne Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 51035
Luzerne Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 homes in Luzerne heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Luzerne temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Luzerne houses depend on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Luzerne County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Luzerne County Households | Luzerne County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
107 Luzerne Fuel Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Luzerne homes during this past winter, the Luzerne community relies on its 107 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 Luzerne, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Luzerne and the surrounding area.