Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Wyoming Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Households have a variety of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the preferred choice in Wyoming, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of families. The 2nd most popular primary heating fuel for Wyoming households 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%).
Wyoming 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 Wyoming
Heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Wyoming. In the 13 years since 2012, the number of households using number two heating oil decreased from 936,674 to 663,450, a 29% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Wyoming
Between 2012 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 188,880 to 282,182, a 49% change. Comparing 2012 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel grew from 2,530,063 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Wyoming
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are gaining popularity in Wyoming. Since 2012, the number of homes heating with electricity rose from 1,046,982 to 1,447,260, a 38% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Wyoming
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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. Today, 7,204 homes in Wyoming are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 385% gain from 2012, when 1,484 homes had active solar heating.
Wyoming County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, Wyoming County homeowners purchased a total of 2 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
Wyoming’s overall fuel oil usage changes each year correlating with how cold it gets each winter. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ heating systems need to burn more and more heating oil to maintain a constant interior temperature. Last winter, the average outside temperature in Wyoming was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
Wyoming County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
Wyoming County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Wyoming homeowners heating with heating oil, choosing which of the 8 heating oil companies that serve Wyoming plays a big role in determining how much money is spent on heating each winter.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Wyoming. Full service companies such as or offer families annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic number two heating oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s heating 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 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 fuel oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 2 Wyoming cash heating oil companies serving Wyoming include Buy the Gallon LLC and Santarelli Sons Oil Co Inc.
Wyoming Number Two Heating Oil Company By The Numbers: Oil Companies Serving Wyoming: 8 companies .
Average Number of Wyoming Houses Served per Fuel Oil company : 82931
Wyoming Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in Wyoming heat their homes with heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Wyoming temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of Wyoming households depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of Wyoming County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Wyoming County Households | Wyoming County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
26 Wyoming Fuel Oil Companies Homeowners Can Count On
With 507,486,889 gallons of heating oil delivered to Wyoming homes the last heating season, the Wyoming community depends on its 26 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 Wyoming, two of the closest terminals are Ergon in Newell, PA and Etmt in Blawnox, PA. Then, the truck delivers the fuel oil to residences and companies throughout Wyoming and the surrounding vicinity.
