Households have a host of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Washington, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington households 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%).

Washington 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 Washington

Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Washington. In the 9 years since 2016, the number of households using heating oil dipped from 805,822 to 663,450, a 18% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington

Between 2016 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 209,719 to 282,182, a 35% change. Comparing 2016 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,551,248 to 2,796,352, a 10% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Washington

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more popular in Washington. Since 2016, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 1,133,797 to 1,447,260, a 28% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington

Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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 Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 340% gain from 2016, when 1,639 homes had active solar heating.

Washington County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Washington County homeowners purchased a total of 2 million gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Washington’s overall fuel oil usage fluctuates from year to year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside gets colder, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn increasing amounts of fuel oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Washington was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Washington County Average Winter Temperature

Heating Season	Average Temperature
2024 - 2025	29.3° F
2023 - 2024	34.8° F

Washington County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Washington residences heating with oil, choosing which of the 12 heating oil companies that serve Washington plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who are willing to pay a premium for a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as or offer households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and furnace repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 homeowners who are budget-conscious. With discount oil companies, in return for better 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 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include Cr Augenstein Inc and Wilson Home Heating Inc.

Washington Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Heating oil Companies Serving Washington: 12 companies .
Average Number of Washington Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 55288

Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 residences in Washington heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Washington residences are reliant on heating oil delivery each winter.

6.1% of Washington County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter

Washington County Households	Washington County Heating Oil Households
10.7M	663,450

147 Washington Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance

With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Washington houses during this past winter, the Washington community depends on its 147 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 Washington, 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 Washington and the surrounding vicinity.

Heating Oil Near You In These Adjacent Counties

Westmoreland County, PA