Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Snyder Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Snyder, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Snyder homeowners 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%).
Snyder 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 Snyder
Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Snyder. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of residents using heating oil dropped from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Snyder
Between 2013 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew 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 increased from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Snyder
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Snyder. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Snyder
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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 Snyder are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes incorporated active solar heating.
Snyder County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Snyder County homeowners purchased a total of 2 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Snyder’s overall oil consumption fluctuates annually correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Snyder was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Snyder County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Snyder County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Snyder families heating with oil, choosing which of the 7 heating oil companies that serve Snyder makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Snyder. Full service companies such as or offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating 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 families who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Snyder cash heating oil companies serving Snyder include Millers Gas & Oil Service Inc and Kratzer Oil Co Inc.
Snyder Oil Company Fast Facts: Oil Companies Serving Snyder: 7 companies .
Average Number of Snyder Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 94779
Snyder Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Snyder heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Snyder temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Snyder families depend on oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Snyder County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Snyder County Households | Snyder County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
50 Snyder Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Snyder households during this past winter, the Snyder community looks to its 50 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 Snyder, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the oil to homes and businesses throughout Snyder and the surrounding vicinity.
