Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Lycoming Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Lycoming, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Lycoming families is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The rest of the homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).
Lycoming 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 Lycoming
Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Lycoming. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of households using heating oil decreased from 685,083 to 663,450, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Lycoming
Between 2024 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 276,598 to 282,182, a 2% change. Comparing 2024 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel stayed the same at 2,796,352, a 0% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Lycoming
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Lycoming. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,396,275 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Lycoming
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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 Lycoming are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 17% gain from 2024, when 6,155 homes used 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 heating oil usage fluctuates each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of number two 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 families heating with heating oil, choosing 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 families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. Examples of 1 Lycoming cash heating oil companies serving Lycoming include RW Dittmar Plumbing Heating & Oil Company Inc and .
Lycoming Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Lycoming: 1 companies .
Average Number of Lycoming Households Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 663450
Lycoming Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households in Lycoming heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Lycoming temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Lycoming families 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust
With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Lycoming households during this past winter, the Lycoming community looks to its 1 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Lycoming, 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 Lycoming and the surrounding vicinity.
