Compare Home Heating Costs
Use this tool to estimate what your annual heating costs would be using different heating systems. Look for the row that best describes your current heating system then press the Increase or Decrease buttons until the Annual Cost approximates yours. You can also modify price and efficiency assumptions.
Last updated: 2/6/20
- 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.
- Click here for an annual cost comparison chart using default values from the calculator above.
kWh (Kilowatt hour) – A unit of electricity.
ccf (100 cubic feet) – Measure of natural gas volume equivalent to 100 cubic feet. Also equivalent to 1,020 BTUs or 1.032 therms.
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.).