Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace Cost Breakeven
Estimate the seasonal operating cost difference between a heat pump and a gas furnace. Enter your annual heating load, heat pump COP, electricity rate, furnace AFUE, and local gas price to see which system is cheaper and by how much.
Energy prices and performance vary with weather. Always confirm with a local HVAC professional before making upgrades.
Examples
- 20,000 kWh load, COP 3.5, $0.18/kWh, 85% AFUE, $1.50/therm ⇒ Heat pump saves $176.01 per season
- 15,000 kWh load, COP 2.8, $0.16/kWh, 95% AFUE, $1.20/therm ⇒ Heat pump costs $210.47 per season
FAQ
What does COP represent?
Coefficient of performance indicates how many units of heat a pump delivers per unit of electricity consumed.
How accurate is the seasonal heat demand input?
Use utility bills, Manual J calculations, or energy models to estimate annual heating output requirements in kWh.
Does this include installation costs?
No. It compares operating costs only; use separate analyses for equipment and installation expenses.
Additional Information
- 1 therm equals 29.3 kWh of heat energy.
- Gas cost is adjusted by AFUE efficiency to account for combustion and distribution losses.
- Lower electricity rates or higher COPs favour heat pumps; cheap gas or low utilisation can favour furnaces.