Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: York Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a host of fuels that can be used when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most popular choice in York, used by 2,796,352 or 52% of residents. The next most popular primary heating fuel for York households is Electricity, used by 1,447,260 homes (27%). The other homes are heated with Heating Oil (12%), Propane (5%), Wood (2%), and Coal (1%).
York 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 York
Oil has become less popular in York. In the 12 years since 2013, the number of homeowners using heating oil dropped from 870,064 to 663,450, a 24% drop.
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in York
Between 2013 and today, the number of homes using propane as the primary space heating fuel grew from 195,799 to 282,182, a 44% change. Comparing 2013 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel jumped from 2,516,052 to 2,796,352, a 11% change.
Electricity use for home heating in York
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in York. Since 2013, the number of homes heating with electricity shot up from 1,086,074 to 1,447,260, a 33% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in York
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. Currently, 7,204 homes in York are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 412% gain from 2013, when 1,408 homes used active solar heating.
York County Heating Oil Trends
Last year, York County homeowners purchased a total of 14 million gallons of heating oil.
Short Term Trends
York’s overall fuel oil use changes yearly as winter conditions change. As the temperature outside gets more chilly, homes’ HVAC systems need to burn additional oil to maintain the temperature that the thermostat is set to. Last winter, the average outside temperature in York was 29.3°F, which was 5.5°F colder than the prior winter's average outside temperature.
York County Average Winter Temperature
| Heating Season | Average Temperature |
|---|---|
| 2024 - 2025 | 29.3° F |
| 2023 - 2024 | 34.8° F |
York County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For York homes heating with fuel oil, selecting which of the 23 heating oil companies that serve York can drastically impact the cost of home heating.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who can afford a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system choose one of the 127 “full-service” oil companies that serve York. Full service companies such as Aero Energy or Smart Touch Energy offer customers annual contracts which consist of a combined package of both automatic oil delivery and boiler repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s number two heating oil consumption and makes deliveries when your tank is running low. The client 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 return for better prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Examples of 2 York cash heating oil companies serving York include Town & Country Fuel LLC and Edris Oil Service Inc.
York Heating Oil Company Statistics: Heating oil Companies Serving York: 23 companies .
Average Number of York Homes Served per Fuel Oil company : 28846
York Heating Oil Delivery Overview
663,450 houses in York heat their homes with number two heating oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when York temperatures drop as low as 23.2° F each winter. 12.3% of York residences rely on number two heating oil delivery each winter.
6.1% of York County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| York County Households | York County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 10.7M | 663,450 |
228 York Fuel Oil Companies You Can Bank On
With 507,486,889 gallons of number two heating oil delivered to York homeowners the last heating season, the York community depends on its 228 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 York, 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 York and the surrounding vicinity.
