Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Venango Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households 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 residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Venango 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%).
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
Fuel oil has become losing popularity in Venango. In the 4 years since 2021, the number of homeowners using number two heating oil dropped from 760,867 to 663,450, a 13% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Venango
Between 2021 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 267,454 to 282,182, a 6% change. Comparing 2021 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,677,533 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Venango
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Venango. Since 2021, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,287,322 to 1,447,260, a 12% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Venango
Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Venango are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 48% gain from 2021, when 4,867 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 varies annually depending on winter temperatures. As the temperature outside drops, homes’ furnaces need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to keep the house warm inside. 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 heating oil, selecting which of the 3 heating oil companies that serve Venango makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Venango. Full service companies such as or offer homeowners annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and heating system 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 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 customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Venango cash heating oil companies serving Venango include Heath Oil Inc and Klasen Mcquiston Energy Corporation.
Venango Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Venango: 3 companies .
Average Number of Venango Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 221150
Venango Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 households in Venango heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Venango temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Venango houses rely on number two 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 Number Two Heating Oil Companies Serving The Community
With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Venango houses last winter, the Venango community looks to its 15 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 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 homes and businesses throughout Venango and the surrounding area.
