How are homes heated in Pittsburgh, PA?

Utility gas is the most common heating fuel in Pittsburgh, used by 75.2% (±0.8 points) of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

21.0% heat with electricity.

0.6% heat with fuel oil or kerosene.

Figures last updated on .

Utility gas
75.2% (±0.8 points)
Electricity
21.0%
Fuel oil, kerosene
0.6%

Heating fuel in Pittsburgh

Occupied housing units by house heating fuel, 2020–2024
Fuel used mostPittsburghAllegheny CountyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Utility gas75.2% (±0.8 points)80.5%51.3%46.5%
Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.0.6% (±0.2 points)1.0%14.0%3.9%
Electricity21.0% (±0.7 points)16.1%25.3%41.3%
Bottled or tank gas (propane)1.9% (±0.3 points)1.5%5.1%4.9%
Wood0.1% (±0.1 points)0.2%2.1%1.4%
Solar energy0.2% (±0.2 points)0.1%0.1%0.3%
Coal or coke0.1% (±0.1 points)0.0%0.8%0.1%
Other fuel0.3% (±0.1 points)0.3%0.8%0.5%
No fuel used0.6% (±0.1 points)0.4%0.5%1.2%

The survey asks which fuel is used most to heat the home, so a home with a heat pump and an oil backup is counted once, under the one it uses most.

In Pittsburgh, the share of homes heating with fuel oil is lower than in Allegheny County (1.0%).

It is also lower than in Pennsylvania (14.0%).

It is lower than the national figure (3.9%).

In Pittsburgh, the share of homes heating with electricity is higher than in Allegheny County (16.1%).

It is also lower than in Pennsylvania (25.3%).

It is lower than the national figure (41.3%).

Homes heated by electricity in places near Pittsburgh

Nearest places with a published estimate, compared with Pittsburgh
PlaceDistanceHomes heated by electricityCompared with this place
Pittsburgh—21.0% (±0.7 points)—
Mount Oliver2.0 mi18.5% (±10.5 points)Not measurably different
Millvale2.9 mi19.3% (±8.7 points)Not measurably different
Reserve Township3.2 mi3.7% (±2.1 points)Lower
Etna4.1 mi17.9% (±7.5 points)Not measurably different
Homestead4.1 mi21.3% (±7.0 points)Not measurably different
Baldwin4.4 mi11.9% (±2.4 points)Lower
Green Tree4.4 mi15.3% (±6.3 points)Not measurably different
Dormont4.5 mi7.3% (±2.7 points)Lower

Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Reserve Township, PA (3.7%), Baldwin, PA (11.9%), Dormont, PA (7.3%).

Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.

Homes heated by fuel oil across Allegheny County, place by place

RankPlaceHomes heated by fuel oil
49 (tie)Scott Township (Allegheny County)0.7% (±0.6 points)
49 (tie)Shaler Township0.7% (±0.5 points)
58 (tie)Bridgeville0.6% (±0.8 points)
58 (tie)Castle Shannon0.6% (±1.0 points)
58 (tie)Coraopolis0.6% (±0.9 points)
58 (tie)Heidelberg0.6% (±0.7 points)
58 (tie)Pittsburgh0.6% (±0.2 points)
58 (tie)Sewickley Heights0.6% (±0.8 points)
64 (tie)Bellevue0.5% (±0.6 points)
64 (tie)Franklin Park0.5% (±0.6 points)
64 (tie)McKeesport0.5% (±0.6 points)
64 (tie)Munhall0.5% (±0.7 points)
64 (tie)Port Vue0.5% (±0.8 points)

Showing 13 of 128 places in Allegheny County, ranked from highest to lowest.

Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).

Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.

What you can do on Seayora in Pittsburgh

One account for renting, owning, managing and fixing homes, with these figures beside you.

Do repairs, renovations or maintenance?

Get found by owners and renters near Pittsburgh, and send estimates and invoices from your phone.

Join as a pro · Find a pro

Own or manage a rental?

List it, sign the lease and collect rent online, with the figures for Pittsburgh beside you.

Create a landlord account · See what landlords get

Looking for a place to rent?

Browse homes for rent near Pittsburgh, save the ones you like and apply online.

Browse rentals · Create a renter account

Questions about Pittsburgh

What is the most common way to heat a home in Pittsburgh?

Utility gas is the most common heating fuel in Pittsburgh, used by 75.2% of occupied homes (2020–2024 American Community Survey).

How many homes in Pittsburgh heat with oil?

0.6% (±0.2 points) of occupied homes in Pittsburgh use fuel oil or kerosene as their main heating fuel.

How many homes in Pittsburgh have electric heat?

21.0% (±0.7 points) of occupied homes in Pittsburgh heat mainly with electricity, which includes heat pumps.

Sources

To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Pittsburgh city, Pennsylvania (place:61000, in state:42).

Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).

The API needs a free key.

Request a Census API key.

DP04_0063PE, DP04_0063PM, DP04_0066PE, DP04_0066PM, DP04_0065PE, DP04_0065PM, DP04_0064PE, DP04_0064PM, DP04_0068PE, DP04_0068PM, DP04_0069PE, DP04_0069PM, DP04_0067PE, DP04_0067PM, DP04_0070PE, DP04_0070PM, DP04_0071PE, DP04_0071PM

This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.

Figures last updated on .

Related