Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Venango Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Venango, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Venango residents 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%).
Venango 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 Venango
Number two heating oil has become less popular in Venango. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil dipped from 776,616 to 663,450, a 15% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Venango
Between 2020 and today, the number of houses using propane as the primary space heating fuel increased from 251,472 to 282,182, a 12% change. Comparing 2020 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,656,062 to 2,796,352, a 5% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Venango
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Venango. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,254,850 to 1,447,260, a 15% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Venango
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 Venango are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 58% gain from 2020, when 4,554 homes used active solar heating.
Venango County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Venango County homeowners purchased a total of 398,143 gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Venango’s overall oil use changes annually primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn more and more number two heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Venango was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Venango County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Venango County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Venango residences heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Venango can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Venango. 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 HVAC repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two 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 on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 Venango cash heating oil companies serving Venango include Heath Oil Inc and Klasen Mcquiston Energy Corporation.
Venango Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Number two heating oil Companies Serving Venango: 3 companies .
Average Number of Venango Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 221150
Venango Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 residences in Venango heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Venango temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Venango households are reliant on heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Venango County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Venango County Households | Venango County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
15 Venango Heating Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Venango families the last heating season, the Venango community depends on its 15 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Venango, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Venango and the surrounding region.
