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.
CalcSimpler 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.
CalcSimpler