Searching for the best heating fuel in Pennsylvania? Discover how anthracite coal, firewood, and pellets compare so you can heat your home efficiently this winter.
The best heating fuel for your home in Pennsylvania depends on your budget, maintenance preference, and heat output needs. Homeowners in Central PA typically rely on anthracite coal, firewood, or wood pellets. With options like anthracite coal, firewood, and wood pellets, many homeowners in Central PA are asking: which one really makes the most sense for my home?
In this post, we’ll walk through the three most common heating fuel types and help you determine which one fits your lifestyle, home setup, and heating goals.
Anthracite coal is the most energy-dense fuel available locally. In fact, it burns hot, clean, and long, making it ideal for cold winters and long heat cycles. Meanwhile, firewood offers that classic crackling flame and is easier to source, but it requires more frequent loading and produces more ash.
If you’re comparing firewood and coal as the best heating fuel for home use, here’s a quick summary:
Firewood is more traditional but less efficient per pound.
Anthracite is hotter, longer-burning, and low-maintenance.
Unlike softer forms of coal, anthracite is a hard, low-emission fuel with one of the highest energy outputs per pound. That means less frequent refueling, less ash, and more heat with fewer resources. It’s also locally sourced here in Pennsylvania, which supports regional jobs and reduces shipping emissions.
When comparing long-term cost and heat output, anthracite is often considered the best heating fuel in cold-weather regions like ours.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fuels with higher BTUs and lower moisture content, like coal and pellets, are typically more efficient and cost-effective in colder climates.
Alternatively, wood pellets sit in the middle, offering high efficiency, low emissions, and consistent heating through automatic pellet stoves. They’re often the best heating fuel for homeowners who want hands-off, modern convenience without sacrificing warmth.
Pellet stoves also allow for programmable temperature control, which makes them ideal for busy households.
Each heating fuel comes with its own pros and cons. Let’s break it down one last time:
Still unsure which heating fuel is right for your home? Let’s figure it out together.
Need Help Deciding?
Stop by our Shippensburg store or call 717‑530‑0159 our team will help you choose the perfect fuel for your home.
©2025 Valley View Hearth & Landscape. Website Design by Shadboost.