Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Union Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Union, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Union 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%).
Union 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 Union
Oil has become less popular in Union. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of households using number two heating oil decreased from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Union
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes 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 shot up from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Union
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Union. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Union
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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. Now, 7,204 homes in Union are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes utilized active solar heating.
Union County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Union County homeowners purchased a total of 1 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Union’s overall heating oil consumption fluctuates yearly depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ boilers need to burn additional fuel oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Union was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Union County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Union County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Union households heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 6 heating oil companies that serve Union plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who value a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Union. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic heating oil delivery and heating system repair. With an automatic oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Union cash heating oil companies serving Union include RW Dittmar Plumbing Heating & Oil Company Inc and Kratzer Oil Co Inc.
Union Oil Company By The Numbers: Fuel oil Companies Serving Union: 6 companies .
Average Number of Union Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 110575
Union Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 homes in Union heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Union temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Union families rely on fuel oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Union County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Union County Households | Union County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
25 Union Number Two Heating Oil Companies Go The Distance
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Union families during this past winter, the Union community depends on its 25 oil companies to keep warm throughout the winter. 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 Union, 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 Union and the surrounding region.
