Homeowner planning tool

Heat pump vs. furnace running-cost calculator

Compare the energy cost of delivering one million Btu of heat with a heat pump and a gas furnace.

Your inputs

Starts with example figures. Replace them with your own values; results update as you type. These examples are not equipment recommendations or current utility prices.

Heat pump COPUse a manufacturer COP for the operating conditions you want to compare. COP varies with conditions.Electricity price ($/kWh)Enter your electricity price, excluding fixed charges.Gas furnace AFUE (%)Use the equipment’s AFUE rating, from 55% to 100%.Gas price ($/therm)Enter your gas price per therm, excluding fixed charges.

Example calculation

Sample estimate

Heat pump cost per million Btu: $14.65
Gas furnace cost per million Btu: $12.63

Check every input and read the assumptions below. Unchanged fields may still contain example figures.

What the result means

Assumptions and limits

A comparison at your entered COP, not a seasonal forecast or a dual-fuel switchover recommendation. It excludes backup heat, fixed charges, equipment costs and differences in distribution losses.

Heat pump services

How this calculator works

Heat pump: 1,000,000 ÷ (COP × 3,412) × electricity price. Furnace: 1,000,000 ÷ (AFUE/100) ÷ 100,000 × gas price. Both results are dollars per million Btu delivered.

Before you decide

What your results mean

Use the result with its assumptions and limitations.

Dual-Fuel Systems

Why compare more than one COP?

COP varies with the model and operating conditions. Keep energy prices and furnace AFUE fixed, then compare a manufacturer-supported COP for a milder condition with one for colder conditions. The result is cost per delivered heat at those inputs, not annual spending or a universal dual-fuel changeover setting.

Why does the COP input matter?

The model compares the cost of delivering the same quantity of heat. The entered heat-pump COP changes with operating conditions, so a single value does not represent every outdoor temperature.

Can this set a dual-fuel changeover temperature?

No. The comparison excludes backup heat, fixed charges, equipment cost and some distribution differences. A changeover strategy needs the actual equipment and home assessment.

Your next step

Discuss your home’s equipment

Bring the estimate and your questions. Equipment selection needs more information about your home than a calculator can collect.

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