You have to be very careful when you compare numbers with other members.

If the average temperature in the house is 65 degrees (24 hour period) and the average ambient temperature is 35 degrees (24 hour period), let's say the fuel consumption is "X".

Now, take a different locale where the average ambient temperature is 25 degrees (24 hour period).

The fuel consumption is now 1.34X. An identical house in this new location is burning 25% more fuel.

The other mitigating factor is the cost of natural gas. In NY, it cost about $1.60 per therm for the supply and the delivery. Even with the high cost of fuel oil, gas is still going to cost more to heat a home.