Energy Costs
Comparing Energy Costs
Electricity Fuel Oil Propane Natural Gas Natural Gas
Water/Air HP Regular Regular Regular Super Efficient
(COP 3) (60% Eff.) (92% Eff.) (75% Eff.) (92%) Eff.)
(Cents/kWh) ($/gal.) ($/gal.) ($/therm.) ($/therm.)
Geothermal or Ground-Source heat Pump 300% Efficient
.06 0.49 0.49 0.44 0.54
Air-to-Air Heat Pump 200% Efficient
.06 0.73 0.74 0.66 0.80
Electric Resistance 100% Efficient
.06 1.47 1.48 1.32 1.62
| Fuel | Btu Heat | Content | Annual Season Operating Efficency |
| Electricity | 3,413 | Btu/kWh | 100%, 200%, 300% |
| #2 Fuel Oil | 140,000 | Btu/gallon | 60% |
| Propane | 91,600 | Btu/gallon | 92% |
| Natural Gas | 100,000 | Btu/thermal | 75%, 92% |
| Wood | 16,000,000 | Btu/ton | 60% |
Formulas:
Alternate fuel price to electric rate conversion formula:
(Fuel Price) / (Fuel Eff.) x (3413 x Elec. Eff.) / (BTU Content) = Electric Rate
Example of $1.48/gallon propane to electricity with a super-efficient furnace:
(1.48) / (0.9) x (3413x100) / (91,600) = 6 cents per kWh
Electricity rate to alternate fuel price conversion formula:
(Electric Rate) x (Fuel Eff.) x (Btu Content) /(3413xElec. Eff.) = Fuel Price
Example of 6.4 cents/kWh Electric Rate to #2 Fuel Oil with a regular furnace:
(6) x (0.6) x (140,000) / (3413x100) = $1.47 per gallon
