Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Susquehanna Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Homes have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Susquehanna, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Susquehanna 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%).
Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna
Heating oil has become less frequently used in Susquehanna. In the 6 years since 2019, the number of residents using fuel oil decreased from 792,365 to 663,450, a 16% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Susquehanna
Between 2019 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel rose from 235,490 to 282,182, a 20% change. Comparing 2019 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,634,591 to 2,796,352, a 6% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Susquehanna
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Susquehanna. Since 2019, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,222,377 to 1,447,260, a 18% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Susquehanna
Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Susquehanna are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 70% gain from 2019, when 4,241 homes utilized active solar heating.
Susquehanna County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Susquehanna County homeowners purchased a total of 2 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Susquehanna’s overall fuel oil use varies from year to year correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to keep the house warm inside. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Susquehanna was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Susquehanna County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Susquehanna County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Susquehanna homeowners heating with number two heating oil, picking which of the 11 heating oil companies that serve Susquehanna makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Susquehanna. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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: also referred to as “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 the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 2 Susquehanna cash heating oil companies serving Susquehanna include Hinds Online Discount and Kanuik Oil Company.
Susquehanna Fuel Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Susquehanna: 11 companies .
Average Number of Susquehanna Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 60314
Susquehanna Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Susquehanna heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Susquehanna temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Susquehanna residences rely on heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Susquehanna County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Susquehanna County Households | Susquehanna County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
66 Susquehanna Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Susquehanna houses during this past winter, the Susquehanna community depends on its 66 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Susquehanna, 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 Susquehanna and the surrounding vicinity.