Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Mercer Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a choice of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Mercer, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Mercer 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%).
Mercer 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 Mercer
Oil has become decreasing in demand in Mercer. In the 1 years since 2024, the number of homeowners using oil dropped from 685,083 to 663,450, a 3% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Mercer
Between 2024 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped 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 remained stable at 2,796,352, a 0% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Mercer
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Mercer. Since 2024, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 1,396,275 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Mercer
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 Mercer are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 17% gain from 2024, when 6,155 homes had active solar heating.
Mercer County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Mercer County homeowners purchased a total of 348,456 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Mercer’s overall oil consumption fluctuates annually primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more number two heating oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Mercer was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Mercer County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Mercer County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Mercer households heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 4 heating oil companies that serve Mercer is an important decision.
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 Mercer. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic fuel 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 known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Mercer cash heating oil companies serving Mercer include Heath Oil Inc and Klasen Mcquiston Energy Corporation.
Mercer Oil Company Statistics: Heating oil Companies Serving Mercer: 4 companies .
Average Number of Mercer Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 165863
Mercer Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households in Mercer heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Mercer temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Mercer houses depend on oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Mercer County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Mercer County Households | Mercer County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
10 Mercer Fuel Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Mercer houses last winter, the Mercer community relies on its 10 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 Mercer, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Mercer and the surrounding vicinity.
