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

Households have a choice 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 homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Susquehanna residents 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%).

Susquehanna County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (No. 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

Oil has become less popular in Susquehanna. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of residents using number two heating oil dipped from 717,601 to 663,450, a 8% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Susquehanna

Between 2023 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 278,621 to 282,182, a 1% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,698,411 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Susquehanna

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Susquehanna. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 1,389,291 to 1,447,260, a 4% 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. Now, 7,204 homes in Susquehanna are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 3% gain from 2023, when 6,964 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 oil usage varies yearly based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. 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 plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.

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 Susquehanna. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The customer does not need to monitor the level of the oil tank or place individual orders.

Discount Oil Companies: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower 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 Susquehanna cash heating oil companies serving Susquehanna include Hinds Online Discount and Kanuik Oil Company.

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

Susquehanna Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 families 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 depend on 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 Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust

With 507,486,889 gallons of oil delivered to Susquehanna residences during this past winter, the Susquehanna community looks to its 66 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Susquehanna, 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 Susquehanna and the surrounding vicinity.