Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace Cost Calculator
Quick Answer
In many homes, a heat pump is cheapest when electricity is moderate and the seasonal COP is around 3 or better. Gas can still win where gas is cheap, electricity is expensive, or cold weather pulls the heat pump COP down.
Heating Cost Inputs
Starter values are editable. US labels reference EIA energy price data and EPA eGRID.
Heat Demand
Estimate Delivered Heat From Gas Use
Delivered heat is estimated as gas energy from your bill multiplied by AFUE, then compared across all systems.
System Efficiencies
Mixed climates commonly use a seasonal COP around 2.7 to 3.2. HSPF2 is another seasonal rating; higher HSPF2 generally means higher seasonal COP.
Prices & Emission Factors
Advanced (optional)
Use the methane % to include a CO₂e uplift for gas supply (awareness-level). All factors are editable.
Results update as you edit. Use variable energy charges for running-cost comparisons; include fixed charges only when a fuel service would be removed.
Results
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Calculation Formulas
Delivered heat
Known mode: delivered heat = entered kWh heat
Bill mode: delivered heat = gas use × unit kWh × AFUE
Energy input
Heat pump kWh = heat demand ÷ COP
Gas kWh = heat demand ÷ AFUE
Cost and CO₂
Cost per delivered kWh = energy input per heat kWh × price
CO₂ per delivered kWh = energy input per heat kWh × emissions factor
Annual totals and break-even
Annual cost = annual delivered heat × cost per delivered kWh
Break-even COP = electricity price × AFUE ÷ gas price per kWh
How This Heating Comparison Works
This electricity vs gas heating calculator helps you compare the cost and emissions of common heating options in plain terms. If you are deciding between a heat pump, electric resistance heat, or a gas furnace or boiler, the tool translates your energy use into monthly costs and CO₂ estimates. It is designed for homeowners, renters, and anyone planning an upgrade who wants a quick, realistic comparison based on local prices.
The concept is simple: your home needs a certain amount of heat, and each heating system uses energy differently to deliver it. Electric resistance heat turns electricity into heat at about 100% efficiency. Heat pumps move heat rather than create it, so they can deliver two to four units of heat for each unit of electricity, expressed as a coefficient of performance (COP). Gas boilers and furnaces burn fuel and convert it to heat, but some energy is lost through exhaust and system inefficiencies. The calculator converts your heat demand into the energy each system would need, then multiplies by your electricity and gas prices to estimate operating cost. It also applies emissions factors to estimate carbon impact from the grid and from natural gas.
To use the calculator, follow these steps:
- Enter your heat demand, such as seasonal heating in kWh or an estimate from your energy bills.
- Set your electricity price and gas price using your latest utility rates.
- Choose an average COP for a heat pump and efficiency for electric resistance and gas heating.
- Add grid and gas emissions factors if you want a CO₂ comparison.
- Read the live results, or click Calculate after editing several inputs at once.
Real-world examples help make the numbers practical. In mild climates with clean electricity, a heat pump often delivers the lowest heating cost and emissions. In colder regions, a high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump can still beat gas, especially if electricity is affordable or time-of-use rates reward off-peak heating. Electric resistance heat is usually the most expensive to run, but it can be a useful baseline or backup.
Use this tool to test scenarios like a gas-to-heat-pump conversion, adding a mini-split to reduce furnace runtime, or comparing a new gas furnace or boiler to electric baseboards. It provides a practical starting point for energy planning, budgeting, and evaluating home heating options without needing to be an HVAC expert.
Tip: Try COP 3.0 as a season average; colder days are lower, mild days higher.
Efficiency, Climate, and Common Mistakes
Use seasonal performance
Enter the average COP, SCOP, or HSPF2-derived performance you expect across the heating season, not the best lab-condition COP.
Match gas terminology
For US gas furnaces, AFUE is the usual label. Boilers use similar efficiency math here: delivered heat equals fuel energy multiplied by efficiency.
Compare variable rates
Use per-kWh and per-therm charges that change with energy use. Fixed fees belong in the comparison only if switching systems removes that service.
Do not ignore climate
Cold weather can lower heat pump COP and may trigger auxiliary heat. Mild climates can make the same equipment look much better on cost and CO₂.
Worked Examples
Mild-climate heat pump win
With 12,000 kWh/year delivered heat, COP 3.5, electricity at $0.17/kWh, gas at $1.40/therm, and 95% AFUE gas, the heat pump costs about $583/year versus about $604/year for gas.
Cold-climate gas win
With 15,000 kWh/year heat, COP 2.0, electricity at $0.25/kWh, gas at $1.20/therm, and 95% AFUE gas, gas can be far cheaper unless the heat pump gets lower-rate electricity.
Electric resistance replacement
For 12,000 kWh/year heat at $0.17/kWh, resistance heat costs about $2,040/year. A COP 3 heat pump cuts the same delivered heat to about $680/year.
Methodology and Sources
Review signal
Last reviewed: June 8, 2026. Reviewed by Starlight Tools editorial engineering for calculator logic, unit handling, and source labels.
Data sources
Source labels include EIA electricity data, EPA eGRID, ENERGY STAR heat pump guidance, and DOE heat pump guidance.
Update policy
Preset values are planning defaults, not locked tariffs. Replace them with your bill, state, tariff, utility, or local grid data for purchase decisions.
FAQs
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas?
Sometimes. A heat pump wins when its seasonal COP offsets the electricity-to-gas price gap. Cheap gas, expensive electricity, or low cold-weather COP can make gas cheaper.
What COP do I need to beat gas?
Use the break-even COP result. The formula is electricity price × gas AFUE ÷ gas price per kWh. If your real seasonal COP is above that number, the heat pump is cheaper than gas for variable running cost.
How do I find my gas price per therm?
Check your gas bill and divide variable gas supply plus delivery charges by therms used. Exclude fixed account fees unless switching away from gas would remove them.
What is AFUE?
AFUE means Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. A 95% AFUE gas furnace or boiler delivers about 95% of the fuel energy as useful heat before home distribution losses.
What is HSPF2 or SCOP?
HSPF2 and SCOP describe heat pump seasonal performance. COP is a heat-out to electricity-in ratio; HSPF2 and SCOP help estimate the average COP across changing weather.
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Yes, but the seasonal COP can be lower in cold climates and auxiliary heat can raise cost. Use the cold-climate preset or enter equipment-specific performance data.
Should I include standing charges or fixed fees?
Usually no for marginal running-cost comparisons. Include fixed fees only when the choice changes whether you keep that utility service.
Why do emissions vary by state?
Electric emissions depend on the grid mix in your region. Gas combustion factors are more consistent, but upstream methane and fuel supply assumptions can change CO₂e estimates.
Does it upload my data?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser.