A heat pump vs furnace calculator compares the annual operating costs of these two heating systems based on your home's energy needs and local utility rates. Modern heat pumps can be 2-4x more efficient than gas furnaces, but the economics depend heavily on local electricity and gas prices.
Home & Energy Details
US average: ~$1.10/therm
How to Use the Heat Pump vs Furnace Calculator
Choosing between a heat pump and gas furnace is one of the most significant home energy decisions you can make. This heat pump vs furnace calculator compares annual operating costs based on your specific situation.
Step 1: Enter home size and climate
Home size determines heating load. A 1,800 sq ft home in a mixed climate needs roughly 36,000-54,000 BTUs of heating capacity. Climate zone affects how hard your system works and whether a heat pump maintains high efficiency in cold conditions.
Step 2: Enter your energy rates
Find electricity rate on your utility bill ($/kWh) and natural gas rate ($/therm). These rates drive the economics. If gas is $1/therm and electricity is $0.10/kWh, heat pumps usually win. If electricity is $0.25/kWh and gas is $0.80/therm, it's closer.
Step 3: Review the comparison
The calculator uses published efficiency ratings (HSPF for heat pumps, AFUE for furnaces) and heating degree days by climate zone to estimate annual operating costs. The 10-year comparison accounts for typical energy price increases.
FAQ
Is this heat pump calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no account required.
Is my data safe?
Absolutely. No data is sent to any server.
When does a heat pump beat a gas furnace on operating costs?
Heat pumps beat gas furnaces when electricity is cheap relative to gas, and when the climate is mild enough that the heat pump's efficiency advantage holds. As a rule of thumb: if your electricity rate ($/kWh) divided by your gas rate ($/therm) is below 0.03, a heat pump is likely cheaper to operate.
What is the efficiency advantage of heat pumps?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps (like Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat) achieve COP (coefficient of performance) of 2-4 at mild temperatures — meaning they produce 2-4x as much heat energy as the electrical energy they consume. Gas furnaces are at most 98% efficient (0.98). At COP 3, a heat pump is 3x more efficient than gas.
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps work effectively down to -13°F (-25°C). Older models struggled below 25°F (-4°C). If you're in a very cold climate (Minnesota, Maine, Colorado mountains), look for heat pumps rated for -15°F operation. Most installations include a backup electric resistance strip for the coldest days.
What is the cost difference between installing a heat pump vs a new furnace?
A new gas furnace costs $2,500-$7,500 installed. A central heat pump system costs $4,000-$15,000 installed. Ductless mini-splits run $2,000-$14,500 depending on zones. The IRA provides a 30% tax credit (up to $2,000) for heat pump installations.