Chicago Hvac Air Conditioning Heating Installation Repair Service

Electric vs. Gas: Compare Up-to-Date Facts

The heating system in your home converts fuel, generally electricity, oil, natural gas or propane, into heat. Heat is usually measured in "BTUs" or British Thermal Unit.

A BTU is a small unit of heat, comparable to the amount of heat you get from one wooden match.
According to Duke Energy, an average Midwest home may use 60 to 80 million BTUs each winter.

To compare different heating fuels and heating systems we need a common unit of measure that applies to all fuels. The "Cost per one Million BTUs" (MBTUs) is the best way to compare heating costs associated with different fuels and different heating systems. Each fuel and heating system will have its own Cost per MBTUs based on the efficiency of the system and the price of the fuel.

The estimates below help compare different fuels and different heating systems at relatively current rates:

The estimates are for an average home near 1800 square feet in size.
It is important to realize that every home will cost a different amount to heat each winter.
Many typical homes will fall in an "average heating cost" range, but your home may be different.
The estimates are based on the costs per fuel listed (Winter 2007 - 2008,) which may be lower than your current rate.
All fuel costs change frequently and the costs shown below may not be accurate for any future date. Check your most recent utility bill for the actual rates you are being charged.
The actual cost to heat your home in any given winter will depend on the weather, your living habits, your home's insulation and air leakage, the condition of your heating equipment, sun and wind exposure, the home's design and other variables.

Example A: Estimated Natural Gas Heat Comparison

If you own an 80% efficient natural gas furnace and your heating rate is about $1.20 per therm, then:

You will spend about $15.00 for one million BTUs.
If your home requires 60 million BTUs per winter, your winter heating costs will be about 60 X $15.00 = $900 per winter

If you changed to a 90% natural gas furnace:

Cost per million BTUs is now $13.33
In the same winter which required 60 million BTUs, your heating costs would be about 60 X $13.33 = $800 per winter

Example B: Estimated Electric Heat Comparison

If you own an electric furnace with no heat pump and your heating rate is about $.06 per kWh:

You will spend about $17.58 for one million BTUs
If your home requires 60 million BTUs per winter, your winter heating costs will be about 60 X $17.58 = $1055 per winter

If you changed to a new 13 SEER heat pump:

Your cost per million BTUs is now $7.64
In the same winter which required 60 million BTUs, your heating costs would be about 60 X $7.64 = $458 per winter

The actual cost to heat your home may be a large portion of your total energy bill, but it is usually not the entire energy bill. The estimated heating cost examples used in this information are not intended to include any other appliance usage in your home. Your total energy bill will be a sum of the heating costs and the cost to run all the other appliances in your home. The division is not shown on your energy bill.

Electric vs. Gas