learn.howToCalculate
learn.whatIsHeading
The Heat Pump vs Furnace Savings Calculator compares the annual heating and cooling costs of an electric heat pump versus a traditional gas furnace and central air conditioner system, accounting for efficiency ratings and local energy prices.
Formel
Annual Savings = Gas Furnace Heating Cost + AC Cooling Cost - Heat Pump Combined Heating & Cooling Cost
- HDD
- Heating Degree Days (degree-days/year) — Annual measure of heating demand based on outdoor temperature
- HSPF
- Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (BTU/Wh) — Heat pump heating efficiency rating; higher is better (8-13 typical)
- AFUE
- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (%) — Gas furnace efficiency rating; 80-98% for modern furnaces
- COP
- Coefficient of Performance (dimensionless) — Ratio of heat output to electricity input; heat pumps achieve COP 2-4
Trin-for-trin guide
- 1Enter your home square footage and local climate zone heating/cooling degree days
- 2Input local electricity rate ($/kWh) and natural gas rate ($/therm)
- 3Compare equipment efficiencies: furnace AFUE vs heat pump COP/HSPF
- 4The calculator computes annual operating costs for each system and shows net savings
Løste eksempler
Input
2,000 sq ft, moderate climate (4,000 HDD), $0.14/kWh, $1.20/therm, 96% AFUE furnace vs 10 HSPF heat pump
Resultat
Furnace + AC: $2,180/yr; Heat Pump: $1,540/yr; Annual savings: $640
Input
2,000 sq ft, cold climate (7,000 HDD), $0.14/kWh, $0.80/therm
Resultat
Furnace + AC: $2,450/yr; Heat Pump: $2,280/yr; Savings only $170/yr — gas is cheap here
Almindelige fejl at undgå
- ✕Not considering that heat pump efficiency drops significantly below 20F — cold climates may need a dual-fuel backup
- ✕Comparing a cheap heat pump SEER 15 to a high-efficiency furnace 96% AFUE without matching quality tiers
- ✕Ignoring the IRA heat pump tax credit of up to $2,000 which dramatically improves payback
Ofte stillede spørgsmål
Are heat pumps cheaper to run than gas furnaces?
In moderate climates with electricity under $0.15/kWh, heat pumps typically save 20-40% on annual heating costs. In very cold climates with cheap gas, savings may be minimal without a cold-climate rated heat pump.
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps (ccASHP) work efficiently down to -15F. Models from Mitsubishi, Daikin, and Bosch maintain 70-80% capacity at 5F, making them viable in most US climates.
Klar til at beregne? Prøv den gratis Heat Pump Savings-beregner
Prøv det selv →