Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Luzerne Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Luzerne, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Luzerne homeowners 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 (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 Luzerne
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Luzerne. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of households using fuel oil declined from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Luzerne
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 195,799 to 282,182, a 44% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Luzerne
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Luzerne. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Luzerne
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Luzerne are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes had 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 fuel oil usage fluctuates from year to year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ heating systems need to burn increasing amounts of heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 residences heating with heating oil, choosing which of the 13 heating oil companies that serve Luzerne plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for 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 clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and furnace 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 family 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 budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Some of the 2 Luzerne cash heating oil companies serving Luzerne include Buy the Gallon LLC and Union Petroleum Co.
Luzerne Oil Company By The Numbers: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Luzerne: 13 companies .
Average Number of Luzerne Households Served per Fuel Oil company : 51035
Luzerne Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Luzerne heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Luzerne temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Luzerne homes are reliant 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Luzerne houses the last heating season, 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 #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Luzerne and the surrounding vicinity.
