Gas vs Electric Heating Cost
Natural gas is cheaper per BTU in most US states — but the full picture is more nuanced.
Related Electric Heater Calculators
At US average rates, a 92% AFUE gas furnace delivers heat at $0.016 per 1,000 BTU against electric resistance at $0.054 — about 3.5× more. A heat pump at seasonal COP 2.8 does far better than resistance heat at $0.019, but at national average prices it is still about 23% above gas. Where the heat pump wins is in states with cheap electricity relative to gas.
Gas $1.44/therm (EIA, winter average, November 2025 - March 2026 (US); December 2025 - February 2026 (by state)); electricity 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026). Rates vary widely by state — use the calculator below for your location.
At US average rates, a 92% AFUE gas furnace delivers heat for about $0.016 per 1,000 BTU. Electric resistance heat costs about $0.054 for the same 1,000 BTU — roughly 3.5× as much. A heat pump at seasonal COP 2.8 closes most of that gap at about $0.019, though at national prices it still lands above gas. Gas $1.44/therm, electricity 18.44¢/kWh.
Gas vs Electric Heating Cost Calculator
Gas vs Electric — Monthly Cost by Home Size
| Home Size | Heat Delivered | Gas Furnace (92% AFUE) | Electric Resistance | Heat Pump (COP 2.8) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (~1,000 sq ft) | 6.5 MMBtu | ~$101/mo | ~$350/mo | ~$125/mo |
| Medium (~2,000 sq ft) | 10.8 MMBtu | ~$169/mo | ~$584/mo | ~$208/mo |
| Large (~3,000 sq ft) | 16.2 MMBtu | ~$254/mo | ~$875/mo | ~$313/mo |
All three columns deliver the identical heat shown in the second column — the whole-home load of an average-insulated house over a month averaging 35°F outdoors (900 heating degree days). Gas $1.44/therm at 92% AFUE (EIA, winter average, November 2025 - March 2026 (US); December 2025 - February 2026 (by state)); electricity 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026); heat pump at seasonal COP 2.8, which falls in colder climates.
Why Gas Is Cheaper Than Electric Resistance Heat
At US average rates, a 92% AFUE gas furnace delivers heat for about $0.016 per 1,000 BTU. Electric resistance heat — baseboard, an electric furnace, or any plug-in space heater — costs about $0.054 for the same 1,000 BTU, roughly 3.5 times as much. That gap holds in every US state, and it is why gas furnaces still dominate whole-home heating across most of the country.
The exception is the heat pump. By moving heat from outdoor air rather than generating it, a heat pump at seasonal COP 2.8 delivers heat at roughly $0.019 per 1,000 BTU — about a third of the cost of resistance heat, and close enough to gas that the winner depends on your local prices rather than on the technology. At national average rates gas is still about 19% cheaper; applying each state's own rates and winter climate, the heat pump comes out ahead in 11 of the 51 US jurisdictions.
One correction worth making to a common claim: there is no US state with residential electricity under 8¢/kWh. The cheapest is Idaho at 12.35¢/kWh, and the US average is 18.44¢. Even there, resistance heat does not beat gas — cheap electricity helps a heat pump, not a resistance heater. Our heat pump cost estimator runs your own numbers, and the state heating cost pages carry local rates for all 50 states and DC.
Efficient Heaters & Smart Controls
Ceramic PTC heating, four modes, programmable thermostat, tip-over and overheat protection. At 1,500W it suits roughly 150 sq ft on the 10 W/sq ft rule. A good thermostat cuts run hours — the wattage itself is no more efficient than any other resistance heater.
View on Amazon →Works with gas and electric systems. Room sensors, built-in Alexa and remote scheduling. Ecobee’s headline savings percentages are its own marketing figures, measured against a fixed thermostat; what you actually save depends on how far your current schedule is from optimal.
View on Amazon →Permanently sealed oil — never needs refilling. Keeps radiating briefly after shutoff, which smooths the temperature swing without changing the energy used. The ComforTemp button simply holds a moderate preset temperature.
View on Amazon →Wide oscillation, programmable thermostat, 8-hr timer, ETL listed. One of the most popular space heaters in the US. Bear in mind that any 1,500W resistance heater costs the same to run — the timer and thermostat are what save you money.
View on Amazon →