Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace Cost Comparison Calculator
Compare the upfront and running costs of a heat pump versus a gas furnace over its lifetime and find the payback period.
Compare Your Options And Get Clear Answers
Compare the upfront and running costs of a heat pump versus a gas furnace over its lifetime and find the payback period.
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace Cost Comparison Estimator
Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate.
How It Works
Key concepts behind this calculator
Heat Needed
Estimate annual heat in kWh from your gas or electricity bills.
Fuel Used
Heat pump: heat ÷ COP. Furnace: heat ÷ efficiency.
Lifetime Cost
Upfront cost plus yearly running cost for the years you compare.
Use As A Guide
Results are estimates based on your inputs. Check real quotes, rates and professional advice before deciding.
Heating System Efficiency
Typical efficiency figures.
| System | Efficiency | Heat per 1 kWh Fuel | Typical Install ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air source heat pump | COP 2.5 – 4 | 2.5 – 4 kWh | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Gas furnace (high eff.) | 90 – 98% | 0.9 – 0.98 kWh | $4,000 – $9,000 |
| Gas furnace (standard) | 80% | 0.8 kWh | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Electric resistance | 100% | 1.0 kWh | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Rule of Thumb | COP of 3 beats gas on price if electricity < 3× gas | Cold climates lower COP | Check incentives |
Heat Pump vs Calculator FAQ
Answers to common questions about this calculator.
It depends on your electricity and gas prices and your climate. With a COP of 3 or more it is often cheaper to run, especially with incentives.
Coefficient of performance: units of heat delivered per unit of electricity used.
Modern cold-climate models work well well below freezing, but efficiency drops as it gets colder.
No. Enter your own quotes and energy tariffs.