This calculator is designed to estimate the operating costs for a single, whole home heating system. If your home uses multiple heating systems, the results may not be accurate, as this tool does not account for the interplay between different systems or their combined efficiency.
- Find the row that best describes your home’s heating system configuration
- Update fuel cost and other relevant assumptions (efficiency rating is under “show details”)
- Click “Calculate”
- Press Increase/Decrease until Annual Cost matches yours
kWh (Kilowatt hour) - A unit of electricity.
CCF - 100 cubic feet, equivalent to 103,800 BTUs.
Cubic foot - A measure of natural gas heat energy equal to 1,038 BTUs.
Cubic foot - A measure of natural gas heat energy equal to 1,038 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.).
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