Heat Pump vs Furnace Calculator
Compare annual heat-pump electricity cost with gas-furnace fuel cost.
Result
Estimated annual savings with the heat pump: $62.41Estimate
A negative result means the furnace fuel cost is lower under the entered assumptions.This is an energy-only comparison at one entered annual load. It excludes equipment and installation cost, maintenance, auxiliary heat, fans, controls, fixed utility charges and COP changes with outdoor temperature.
- Heat-pump annual electricity cost
- $937.83Estimate
- Furnace annual gas cost
- $1,000.24Estimate
- Heat-pump electricity input
- 5,861.4 kWhEstimate
- Furnace gas input
- 666.83 thermEstimate
- Break-even electricity price per kWh
- $0.171Estimate
- Break-even gas price per therm
- $1.406Estimate
https://calcgallery.com/energy-utilities/heat-pump-vs-furnace-calculator/
Results are estimates based on the ratings, usage and prices you enter. Actual consumption, losses, tariffs and equipment performance vary. Check your bill, meter and manufacturer information before relying on the result. Read the full disclaimer
How to use the Heat Pump vs Furnace Calculator
- Enter one annual useful-heating load from an energy assessment, equipment history or another source that already accounts for the building and climate.
- Enter a climate-appropriate seasonal COP for the heat pump and the furnace AFUE, then add your electricity price per kWh and gas price per therm.
- Compare both annual input-energy and cost results, then use the break-even rates to see where the operating-cost result changes.
One heating load, two input-energy paths
The comparison starts with the same annual useful heat for both systems. COP converts that useful heat to heat-pump electrical input, while AFUE converts it to furnace fuel input.
heat-pump electricity = useful heat ÷ COPfurnace fuel input = useful heat ÷ AFUEannual cost = input energy × entered priceThe primary result subtracts heat-pump electricity cost from furnace gas cost. A positive amount favours the heat pump on operating energy alone; a negative amount favours the furnace under the entered assumptions.
Ratings, units and limits
The DOE FEMP definition defines COP as heating effect divided by net work input when both are expressed in the same units. ENERGY STAR’s furnace criteria describes AFUE as the percentage of incoming fuel heat converted to space heat.
Energy conversion follows NIST SP 811, and the U.S. EIA natural-gas unit guide defines a therm as 100,000 Btu. The calculator does not model temperature-dependent COP, auxiliary heat, fans, controls or equipment sizing.
With your numbers
- Heat-pump input = 60,000,000 Btu ÷ 3 COP = 5,861.4 kWh
- Furnace input = useful heat ÷ 90% AFUE = 666.83 therm
- Annual savings = $1,000.24 − $937.83 = $62.41
Quick reference
This is an energy-only comparison at one entered annual load. It excludes equipment and installation cost, maintenance, auxiliary heat, fans, controls, fixed utility charges and COP changes with outdoor temperature.
| Example | Estimated annual savings with the heat pump |
|---|---|
| 60 million Btu, COP 3 versus 90% AFUE | $62.41 |
| 40 million Btu, COP 2.5 versus 80% AFUE | -$337.69 |
| 80 million Btu, COP 3.5 versus 95% AFUE | $880.76 |
| 18,000 kWh useful heat | -€476.11 |
| 10,000 kWh useful heat and low COP | -€777.26 |
| 25,000 kWh useful heat and high COP | €850.92 |
Common questions about the Heat Pump vs Furnace Calculator
- Does this calculator size a heat pump or furnace?
- No. Equipment sizing requires a room-by-room or building heating-load calculation, design temperatures, duct or distribution details and professional judgment. This calculator only compares operating energy for an already-entered annual load.
- Which COP should I enter?
- Use a seasonal or climate-specific heating COP when available. A single mild-weather laboratory COP can overstate cold-weather performance, especially when auxiliary resistance heat operates.
- What does AFUE mean?
- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency is the share of incoming furnace fuel heat converted to useful space heat over the test basis. A 90% AFUE is entered as 90.
- Does a positive result prove I should buy a heat pump?
- No. It only means the entered heat-pump electricity cost is lower than the entered furnace gas cost. Installation, maintenance, equipment life, comfort, backup heat and fixed utility charges are excluded.