Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Luzerne Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Luzerne, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Luzerne families 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
Oil has become less frequently used in Luzerne. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of households using heating oil fell from 858,758 to 663,450, a 23% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Luzerne
Between 2014 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 198,296 to 282,182, a 42% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,528,694 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Luzerne
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Luzerne. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,087,741 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. As it stands today, 7,204 homes in Luzerne are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 309% gain from 2014, when 1,760 homes used 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 use fluctuates annually depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ heating systems need to burn increasing amounts of fuel 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 households heating with oil, picking 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 value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Luzerne. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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: also referred to as “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for clients who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Luzerne cash heating oil companies serving Luzerne include Buy the Gallon LLC and Union Petroleum Co.
Luzerne Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Luzerne: 13 companies .
Average Number of Luzerne Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 51035
Luzerne Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences 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 families 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 Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Luzerne households during this past winter, the Luzerne community depends on its 107 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 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 homes and businesses throughout Luzerne and the surrounding area.
