Heat Pump vs Furnace Cost Calculator

Compare annual operating costs from your own heating demand, efficiency, and energy prices.

Quick answer: heat-pump energy cost = annual useful heat ÷ COP × electricity price. Furnace fuel cost = annual useful heat ÷ (AFUE × 29.3071 kWh thermal per therm) × gas price. Enter your project values to see the difference; no regional price is assumed.

Defaults are an illustrative example, not a local tariff. Replace them with your project values.

Useful heat delivered to the building.
Use a seasonal average COP for a seasonal estimate.
Optional ownership costs
Heat-pump installation cost minus furnace installation cost.
Heat-pump maintenance minus furnace maintenance; a negative value means lower heat-pump maintenance.

Formulas and assumptions

Heat-pump kWh = heating demand ÷ COP.

Furnace therms = heating demand ÷ (AFUE × 29.3071 kWh thermal/therm).

Fuel-only savings (%) = (furnace fuel cost − heat-pump electricity cost) ÷ furnace fuel cost × 100. Annual savings = furnace fuel cost − heat-pump electricity cost − annual maintenance difference. Absolute maintenance costs are not entered, so total annual ownership costs are not shown.

Fuel prices and demand are user inputs; this page makes no regional price claim.

What this comparison covers

Use a seasonal-average COP and annual useful heating demand for a screening estimate. A colder operating point, auxiliary or backup heat, demand charges, utility riders, and equipment capacity limits can change a project decision.

Frequently asked questions

Which inputs drive the comparison?

Annual useful heating demand, COP, AFUE, electricity price, and gas price drive the operating-cost result. Installation and maintenance deltas are optional.

Does this page use city or utility prices?

No. Prices are user inputs. Add the bill, tariff, or date in the source field so the result can be reviewed later.

Can this result choose a heating system?

No. Review low-temperature capacity, backup heat, tariffs, installation scope, and manufacturer performance before selecting equipment.

Read the heat-pump vs furnace guide · Check heat-pump sizing · Review electricity cost assumptions