Homes have a choice of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in Westmoreland, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of homeowners. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Westmoreland 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%).

Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland

Number two heating oil has become less popular in Westmoreland. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of families using fuel oil declined from 776,616 to 663,450, a 15% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Westmoreland

Between 2020 and today, the number of homes 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 shot up from 2,656,062 to 2,796,352, a 5% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Westmoreland

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are increasing in demand in Westmoreland. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity grew from 1,254,850 to 1,447,260, a 15% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Westmoreland

Out of all fuels, solar is the safest for the environment. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Westmoreland are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 58% gain from 2020, when 4,554 homes utilized active solar heating.

Westmoreland County Heating Oil Trends

Last year, Westmoreland County homeowners purchased a total of 13 million gallons of heating oil.

Short Term Trends

Westmoreland’s overall fuel oil usage fluctuates from year to year based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside dips, homes’ boilers need to burn increasing amounts of heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Westmoreland was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.

Westmoreland County Average Winter Temperature

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

Westmoreland County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company

For Westmoreland families heating with heating oil, picking which of the 21 heating oil companies that serve Westmoreland is an important decision.

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 Westmoreland. 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 heating system 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: Also known by the names “COD Fuel” or “Cash Heating Oil” companies, discount oil companies are for households who are on a budget. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the heating oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order either when the level runs low or just before a major snowstorm. Some of the 2 Westmoreland cash heating oil companies serving Westmoreland include Courtesy Oil Inc and Latshaw & Son Home Heating Oil LLC.

Westmoreland Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Westmoreland: 21 companies .
Average Number of Westmoreland Houses Served per Number Two Heating Oil company : 31593

Westmoreland Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 homes in Westmoreland heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Westmoreland temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Westmoreland residences depend on heating oil delivery each winter.

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

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

459 Westmoreland Number Two Heating Oil Companies You Can Trust

With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Westmoreland homeowners last winter, the Westmoreland community looks to its 459 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 Westmoreland, 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 Westmoreland and the surrounding area.

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