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

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

Oil has become less popular in Westmoreland. In the 2 years since 2023, the number of residents using heating oil dropped from 717,601 to 663,450, a 8% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Westmoreland

Between 2023 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel ramped up from 278,621 to 282,182, a 1% change. Comparing 2023 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 2,698,411 to 2,796,352, a 4% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Westmoreland

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Westmoreland. Since 2023, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,389,291 to 1,447,260, a 4% change.

Adoption of solar home heating systems in Westmoreland

Solar is the most environmentally friendly of all heating fuels. 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. Now, 7,204 homes in Westmoreland are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 3% gain from 2023, when 6,964 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 heating oil use changes from year to year primarily depending on how cold each winter is. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn more and more 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 homeowners heating with oil, selecting 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 pick one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Westmoreland. 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 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 referred to as “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 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 Heating Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel oil Companies Serving Westmoreland: 21 companies .
Average Number of Westmoreland Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 31593

Westmoreland Heating Oil Delivery Overview

663,450 families in Westmoreland heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Westmoreland temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Westmoreland families are reliant 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 Heating Oil Companies You Can Bank On

With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to Westmoreland families the last heating season, the Westmoreland community relies on its 459 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 Westmoreland, 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 Westmoreland and the surrounding area.

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