Compare Home Heating Costs
Use this tool to estimate what your annual heating costs would be using different heating systems.
1. Find the row that best describes your home’s heating system configuration
2. Update fuel cost and other relevant assumptions (efficiency rating is under “show details”)
3. Click “Calculate”
4. Press Increase/Decrease until Annual Cost matches yours
- To talk with a professional about upgrading your heating system, contact an Efficiency Maine Residential Registered Vendor.
- Your fuel prices may differ. Check here for up-to-date and regional pricing.
kWh (Kilowatt hour) - A unit of electricity.
therm - A measure of natural gas heat energy equal to 100,000 BTUs.
Propane is sometimes referred to as LP (liquefied petroleum).
Cord - A stack of firewood measuring 4’ x 4’ x 8’.
BTUs per unit - The amount of potential heat energy contained within a measured unit of a given fuel type. A BTU (British Thermal Unit) equals the energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree F.
System Efficiency - Measure of the percentage of potential energy contained in a fuel source that actually gets delivered as heat within a home heating system (i.e., an 85% efficient system wastes 15% of its heating potential).
Distribution Efficiency - Measure of how efficiently heat generated by a source (boiler, furnace, etc.) is distributed throughout a heating distribution system (baseboard, forced hot air, radiant, etc.).
Default electric price is weighted by utility residential load (CMP and Versant only).
This calculator is for comparison purposes only. Actual performance may vary. Default energy prices last updated: 04/24/2024.