Gas Furnace vs Heat Pump Cost Calculator

Heating System Cost Comparison:

\[ \text{Annual Cost} = \left(\frac{\text{Energy Used}}{\text{Efficiency}}\right) \times \text{Energy Price} \]

Annual Heating Hours:

hours/year

BTU Heating Requirement:

BTU/hour

Natural Gas Price:

$/therm

Electricity Price:

$/kWh

Furnace Efficiency:

Heat Pump COP (Coefficient of Performance):

(typically 2.5-4.5)

Gas Furnace Annual Cost:

Heat Pump Annual Cost:

Annual Savings with Heat Pump:

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is This Calculator For?

This calculator compares the annual operating costs of gas furnaces and heat pumps for home heating. It helps homeowners evaluate which system might be more cost-effective based on local energy prices and system efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

\[ \text{Gas Cost} = \left(\frac{\text{BTU Needed} \times \text{Heating Hours}}{100,000 \times \text{Furnace Efficiency}}\right) \times \text{Gas Price} \] \[ \text{Heat Pump Cost} = \left(\frac{\text{BTU Needed} \times \text{Heating Hours}}{3412 \times \text{COP}}\right) \times \text{Electricity Price} \]

Where:

BTU Needed — Heating capacity required per hour
Heating Hours — Annual hours of heating operation
Furnace Efficiency — AFUE rating (typically 80%-98%)
COP — Heat pump coefficient of performance (typically 2.5-4.5)
1 therm = 100,000 BTU
1 kWh = 3,412 BTU

3. Understanding the Results

Details: The calculator shows annual operating costs for both systems and the potential savings. Note that this doesn't include installation costs, maintenance, or cooling capabilities of heat pumps.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: For accurate results, use your actual local energy prices. Typical values:

Gas price: $0.50-$2.00 per therm
Electricity price: $0.10-$0.30 per kWh
Furnace efficiency: 80% for older units, 90-98% for high-efficiency
Heat pump COP: 3-4 for modern units in moderate climates

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which is better, gas furnace or heat pump?
A: It depends on climate, energy prices, and home characteristics. Heat pumps work best in moderate climates, while gas furnaces perform better in very cold areas.

Q2: What's the typical lifespan comparison?
A: Gas furnaces typically last 15-20 years, heat pumps 10-15 years, though this varies by model and maintenance.

Q3: Does this account for temperature fluctuations?
A: No, this uses average values. Actual performance varies with outdoor temperature (heat pumps become less efficient in very cold weather).

Q4: What about dual-fuel systems?
A: This calculator compares single systems only. Dual-fuel systems combine both technologies.

Q5: Should I switch based solely on this calculation?
A: No, consult with HVAC professionals as installation costs, rebates, and other factors should be considered.