Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Lycoming Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Lycoming, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Lycoming residents 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%).
Lycoming 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 Lycoming
Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Lycoming. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of families using heating oil declined from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Lycoming
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased 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 shot up from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Lycoming
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Lycoming. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity ramped up from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Lycoming
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Lycoming are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes had active solar heating.
Lycoming County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Lycoming County homeowners purchased a total of 806,611 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Lycoming’s overall fuel oil usage varies each year correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, 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 Lycoming was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Lycoming County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Lycoming County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Lycoming residences heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 1 heating oil companies that serve Lycoming makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Lycoming. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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 households who are looking to save money. 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 you're running low. A few of the 1 Lycoming cash heating oil companies serving Lycoming include RW Dittmar Plumbing Heating & Oil Company Inc and .
Lycoming Oil Company Statistics: Fuel oil Companies Serving Lycoming: 1 companies .
Average Number of Lycoming Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 663450
Lycoming Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Lycoming heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Lycoming temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Lycoming houses rely on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Lycoming County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Lycoming County Households | Lycoming County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
1 Lycoming Fuel Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Lycoming households last winter, the Lycoming community relies on its 1 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Lycoming, 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 Lycoming and the surrounding vicinity.
