Homeowners have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Washington, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Washington 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%).

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 less popular in Washington. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of households using heating oil fell from 776,616 to 663,450, a 15% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Washington

Between 2020 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up 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 Washington

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Washington. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,254,850 to 1,447,260, a 15% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Washington

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. Now, 7,204 homes in Washington are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 58% gain from 2020, when 4,554 homes used 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 oil usage varies each year as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ heating systems need to burn additional heating oil to keep the house warm inside. 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 homes heating with number two heating oil, selecting which of the 12 heating oil companies that serve Washington makes a big difference.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Washington. Full service companies such as or offer clients annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic fuel oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s 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: Often called “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for customers who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in return for better prices, you monitor the fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when you're running low. A few of the 2 Washington cash heating oil companies serving Washington include Cr Augenstein Inc and Wilson Home Heating Inc.

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

Washington Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 homes in Washington heat their homes with oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Washington temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Washington families depend on number two 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 Oil Companies Go The Distance

With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Washington households last winter, the Washington community relies on its 147 oil companies when temperatures dip. 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 Washington, 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 homes and businesses throughout Washington and the surrounding area.

Heating Oil Near You In These Adjacent Counties

Westmoreland County, PA