Propane vs. Natural Gas vs. Heating Oil: Delaware Home Heating Fuel Comparison
Families have a variety of fuels to choose from when it comes to heating. Natural Gas is the most common choice in Delaware, used by 40,284,169 or 63% of households. The next most popular primary heating fuel for Delaware families is Electricity, used by 17,850,536 homes (28%). The rest of the homes are heated with Propane (5%), Wood (2%), Heating Oil (1%), and Other (1%).
Delaware County Residential Primary Home Heating Fuel (in Number of Households)
| Date | Natural Gas | Propane | Electricity | Oil | Wood | Solar | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 40284169 | 3081795 | 17850536 | 774909 | 1083121 | 10860 | 403836 |
| 2024 | 38930705 | 3174414 | 16488724 | 892843 | 979276 | 17062 | 417066 |
| 2023 | 37590944 | 3255196 | 15199404 | 1008409 | 880848 | 22803 | 427844 |
| 2022 | 37151905 | 3221760 | 14587823 | 1065149 | 866531 | 20673 | 438560 |
| 2021 | 37128867 | 3134944 | 14211401 | 1100859 | 903769 | 15657 | 445157 |
| 2020 | 37003382 | 3083444 | 13869204 | 1132851 | 942478 | 13449 | 450995 |
| 2019 | 36840178 | 3020916 | 13561816 | 1172096 | 978933 | 11917 | 457127 |
| 2018 | 36767219 | 2943873 | 13286860 | 1206655 | 1014383 | 11247 | 453770 |
| 2017 | 36733211 | 2903335 | 13055094 | 1235021 | 1047439 | 11038 | 444277 |
| 2016 | 36623358 | 2883233 | 12814934 | 1270071 | 1069881 | 11466 | 436330 |
| 2015 | 36586577 | 2871736 | 12538674 | 1324701 | 1085024 | 12269 | 422257 |
| 2014 | 36648643 | 2877547 | 12236610 | 1394959 | 1100515 | 11920 | 402497 |
| 2013 | 36700523 | 2911451 | 11934916 | 1470260 | 1109606 | 11282 | 384399 |
| 2012 | 36842930 | 2965805 | 11629674 | 1548843 | 1094960 | 10751 | 370550 |
| 2011 | 37027467 | 3013572 | 11342268 | 1639364 | 1055619 | 10419 | 359450 |
| 2010 | 37193755 | 3071292 | 11063784 | 1752123 | 1007864 | 11729 | 360649 |
Heating Oil (Fuel Oil) Use in Delaware
Number two heating oil has become decreasing in demand in Delaware. In the 5 years since 2020, the number of households using oil declined from 1,132,851 to 774,909, a 32% drop.
Number of Households Using Heating Oil in Delaware County
| Date | Households |
|---|---|
| 2025-11-11 | 61948 |
| 2025-11-10 | 61953 |
| 2025-11-09 | 61959 |
| 2025-11-08 | 61965 |
| 2025-11-07 | 62013 |
| 2025-11-06 | 62017 |
| 2025-11-05 | 62028 |
| 2025-11-04 | 62038 |
| 2025-11-03 | 62061 |
| 2025-11-02 | 62071 |
| 2025-11-01 | 62078 |
| 2025-10-31 | 62077 |
| 2025-10-30 | 62078 |
| 2025-10-29 | 62079 |
| 2025-10-28 | 62085 |
| 2025-10-27 | 62099 |
| 2025-10-26 | 62119 |
| 2025-10-25 | 62135 |
| 2025-10-24 | 62147 |
| 2025-10-23 | 62155 |
| 2025-10-22 | 62205 |
| 2025-10-21 | 62213 |
| 2025-10-20 | 62220 |
| 2025-10-19 | 62228 |
| 2025-10-18 | 62242 |
| 2025-10-17 | 62249 |
| 2025-10-16 | 62253 |
| 2025-10-15 | 62318 |
| 2025-10-14 | 62386 |
| 2025-10-13 | 62390 |
| 2025-10-12 | 62397 |
| 2025-10-11 | 62411 |
| 2025-10-10 | 62419 |
| 2025-10-09 | 62427 |
| 2025-10-08 | 62434 |
| 2025-10-07 | 62484 |
| 2025-10-06 | 62492 |
| 2025-10-05 | 62508 |
| 2025-10-04 | 62520 |
| 2025-10-03 | 62539 |
| 2025-10-02 | 62554 |
| 2025-10-01 | 62560 |
| 2025-09-30 | 62561 |
| 2025-09-29 | 62562 |
Propane vs. Natural Gas use for home heating in Delaware
Between 2020 and today, the number of households using propane as the primary space heating fuel held steady from 3,083,444 to 3,081,795, a 0% change. Comparing 2020 and today, the number of homes using natural gas as the primary space heating fuel increased from 37,003,382 to 40,284,169, a 9% change.
Electricity use for home heating in Delaware
Electric heat pump systems for home heating are more prevalent in Delaware. Since 2020, the number of homes heating with electricity increased from 13,869,204 to 17,850,536, a 29% change.
Adoption of solar home heating systems in Delaware
The most eco-friendly heating option is solar. 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, 10,860 homes in Delaware are heated with active solar arrays. This is a 19% drop from 2020, when 13,449 homes had active solar heating.
Delaware County Homeowner’s Guide to Selecting an Oil Company
For Delaware families heating with fuel oil, picking which of the 6 heating oil companies that serve Delaware makes a big difference.
Full Service Oil Companies: Homeowners who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” heating system select one of the 0 “full-service” oil companies that serve Delaware. 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 HVAC repair. With an automatic heating oil delivery contract, the company tracks your home’s fuel 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 households who are looking to save money. With discount oil companies, in exchange for lower prices, you monitor the oil level in your tank, and you place an oil order when the oil gauge dips below a quarter tank. Some of the 2 Delaware cash heating oil companies serving Delaware include Suburban Propane Inc and Marble Cliff Oil Co.
Delaware Oil Company Statistics
Number two heating oil Companies Serving Delaware: 6 companies . Average No of Delaware Households served for Heating Oil : 1272
Overview
Delaware Heating Oil Delivery Overview 71,350 residences in Delaware heat their homes with fuel oil. This makes oil delivery essential, especially when Delaware temperatures drop as low as 30° F each winter. 1% of Delaware houses depend on number two heating oil delivery each winter. 0 Delaware Fuel Oil Companies Go The Distance With 35,675,000 gallons of oil delivered to Delaware residences last winter, the Delaware community relies on its 0 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 Delaware, two of the closest terminals are Citgo in Linden, NJ and Citgo in Linden, NJ. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to residences and companies throughout Delaware and the surrounding area.
0.27% of Delaware County Households Rely On Heating Oil Delivery Each Winter
| Delaware County Households | Delaware County Heating Oil Households |
|---|---|
| 467,140 | 1,272 |
23 Delaware County Oil Companies Go the Distance
With 805,601 gallons of heating oil delivered to Delaware County homeowners during the winter of 2024, the Delaware County community relies on its 23 oil companies to keep warm.
Oil delivery is a two step process: First, an oil truck picks up oil at the nearest bulk fuel terminal. In the case of Delaware County, two of the closest terminals are Citgo in Linden, NJ and Citgo in Linden, NJ. Then, the truck delivers the #2 heating oil to homes and businesses in Delaware County.
