Cheapest Philadelphia County Heating Oil Price History
Updated Today
| Date | Price |
|---|---|
| 01/28/2026 | $3.390 |
| 01/27/2026 | $3.390 |
| 01/26/2026 | $3.390 |
| 01/25/2026 | $3.090 |
| 01/24/2026 | $3.090 |
| 01/23/2026 | $3.090 |
| 01/22/2026 | $3.090 |
| 01/21/2026 | $3.090 |
| 01/20/2026 | $3.090 |
| 01/19/2026 | $2.970 |
| 01/18/2026 | $2.900 |
| 01/17/2026 | $2.900 |
| 01/16/2026 | $2.900 |
| 01/15/2026 | $2.900 |
| 01/14/2026 | $2.900 |
| 01/13/2026 | $2.692 |
| 01/12/2026 | $2.692 |
| 01/11/2026 | $2.692 |
| 01/10/2026 | $2.692 |
| 01/09/2026 | $2.692 |
| 01/08/2026 | $2.692 |
| 01/07/2026 | $2.830 |
| 01/06/2026 | $2.842 |
| 01/05/2026 | $2.842 |
| 01/04/2026 | $2.970 |
| 01/03/2026 | $2.980 |
| 01/02/2026 | $2.980 |
| 01/01/2026 | $2.980 |
| 12/31/2025 | $2.992 |
| 12/30/2025 | $2.992 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Philadelphia Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homeowners have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Philadelphia, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Philadelphia households 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%).
Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Oil has become less popular in Philadelphia. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of households using oil declined from 760,867 to 663,450, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Philadelphia
Between 2021 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 267,454 to 282,182, a 6% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 2,677,533 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Philadelphia
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Philadelphia. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,287,322 to 1,447,260, a 12% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Philadelphia
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. As it stands today, 7,204 homes in Philadelphia are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 48% gain from 2021, when 4,867 homes had active solar heating.
Philadelphia County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Philadelphia County homeowners purchased a total of 14 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Philadelphia’s overall fuel oil use fluctuates yearly as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Philadelphia was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Philadelphia County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Philadelphia County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Philadelphia homes heating with heating oil, choosing which of the 42 heating oil companies that serve Philadelphia plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 15 “full-service” oil companies that serve Philadelphia. Full service companies such as IT Landes or InterCounty Oil Services Inc offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating 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 homeowner 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 families who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the 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 Philadelphia cash heating oil companies serving Philadelphia include Ace Fueling Llc and Blaze Oil Corporation.
Philadelphia Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Philadelphia: 42 companies .
