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Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Susquehanna Home Heating Fuel Comparison

Homeowners have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Susquehanna, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Susquehanna homeowners 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%).

Susquehanna County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number of Households)

YearNatural GasPropaneElectricityOilWoodSolarOther
20252,796,352282,1821,447,260663,450112,2707,20431,146
20242,785,913276,5981,396,275685,083111,4166,15532,085
20232,698,411278,6211,389,291717,601111,5406,96444,558
20222,710,114282,6251,337,240742,118105,1475,28241,959
20212,677,533267,4541,287,322760,867109,8324,86746,436
20202,656,062251,4721,254,850776,616113,9004,55441,326
20192,634,591235,4901,222,377792,365117,9694,24136,216
20182,592,386225,4761,198,450806,761128,1102,19735,172
20172,598,275222,6501,158,937790,353127,1982,22535,586
20162,551,248209,7191,133,797805,822125,5831,63934,565
20152,549,385200,7541,103,995837,082141,8352,11738,034
20142,528,694198,2961,087,741858,758148,2561,76036,886
20132,516,052195,7991,086,074870,064148,5971,40833,941
20122,530,063188,8801,046,982936,674145,0891,48431,494
20112,516,883178,3871,019,764973,749137,6251,54528,259
20102,530,446177,562997,925993,832126,07459729,423

Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Susquehanna

Number two heating oil has become losing popularity in Susquehanna. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of families using heating oil fell from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Susquehanna

Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped 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 ramped up from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Susquehanna

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Susquehanna. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Susquehanna

The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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. Currently, 7,204 homes in Susquehanna are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes used 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 number two heating oil consumption fluctuates each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn more and more heating oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 SeasonAverage Temperature
2024 - 202529.3° F
2023 - 202434.8° F

Susquehanna County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Susquehanna households heating with fuel oil, choosing which of the 11 heating oil companies that serve Susquehanna can drastically impact the cost of home heating.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford 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 families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and HVAC repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The family 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 clients who are on a budget. 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 either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Examples of 2 Susquehanna cash heating oil companies serving Susquehanna include Hinds Online Discount and Kanuik Oil Company.

Susquehanna Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Susquehanna: 11 companies .
Average Number of Susquehanna Houses Served per Heating Oil company : 60314

Susquehanna Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 homes 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 are reliant on number two heating oil delivery each winter.

6.1% of Susquehanna County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Susquehanna County HouseholdsSusquehanna County Heating Oil Households
10.7M663,450

66 Susquehanna Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On

With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Susquehanna houses last winter, the Susquehanna community relies on its 66 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. Oil delivery can be summed up in two steps: 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 number two heating oil to residences and companies throughout Susquehanna and the surrounding vicinity.