Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Venango Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Residences have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Venango, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Venango families 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 (in Number 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
Fuel oil has become less popular in Venango. In the 11 years since 2014, the number of families using oil decreased from 858,758 to 663,450, a 23% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Venango
Between 2014 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 198,296 to 282,182, a 42% change. Comparing 2014 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 2,528,694 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Venango
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Venango. Since 2014, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,087,741 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Venango
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. Currently, 7,204 homes in Venango are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 309% gain from 2014, when 1,760 homes incorporated 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 fuel oil use varies each year depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ HVAC systems 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 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 families heating with oil, selecting which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Venango 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 Venango. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic 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 clients who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower 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. Examples of 2 Venango cash heating oil companies serving Venango include Heath Oil Inc and Klasen Mcquiston Energy Corporation.
Venango Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Venango: 3 companies .
Average Number of Venango Homes Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 221150
Venango Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households 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 homes rely on 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 Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Venango homes during this past winter, the Venango community relies on its 15 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 Venango, 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 Venango and the surrounding area.
