Homes have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Westmoreland, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Westmoreland homeowners 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 frequently used in Westmoreland. In the 7 years since 2018, the number of families using fuel oil declined from 806,761 to 663,450, a 18% drop.

Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Westmoreland

Between 2018 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel shot up from 225,476 to 282,182, a 25% change. Comparing 2018 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel rose from 2,592,386 to 2,796,352, a 8% change.

Electricity use for home heating in Westmoreland

Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Westmoreland. Since 2018, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 1,198,450 to 1,447,260, a 21% 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 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 Westmoreland are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 228% gain from 2018, when 2,197 homes had 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 oil consumption varies annually based on the severity of the winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn more and more oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. 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 heating oil, selecting which of the 21 heating oil companies that serve Westmoreland can drastically impact the cost of home heating.

Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer 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 households annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic fuel oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic number two heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The homeowner 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 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. Examples of 2 Westmoreland cash heating oil companies serving Westmoreland include Courtesy Oil Inc and Latshaw & Son Home Heating Oil LLC.

Westmoreland Fuel Oil Company Fast Facts: Fuel 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 oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Westmoreland temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Westmoreland houses 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 Homeowners Can Count On

With 507,486,889 gallons of fuel oil delivered to Westmoreland houses the last heating season, the Westmoreland community relies on its 459 oil companies to keep their oil tanks full. 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 oil to homes and businesses throughout Westmoreland and the surrounding vicinity.

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