What Does Your Heating Actually Cost?
Heating cost calculators for US homeowners. Electric, heat pump, propane, and gas — cost per hour, day, and month, with the rate and efficiency assumptions behind every figure shown. US average electricity is 18.44¢/kWh. No signup. Instant results.
Calculators
◆Space Heater Calculator◆Heat Pump Cost Calculator◆Water Heater Cost Calculator◆Electric Heat Cost◆Gas vs Electric Heating◆Propane vs Electric◆Garage Heater Cost◆Infrared Heater Calculator◆Pool Heating Calculator◆Compare Heaters◆ Free US Heating Cost Calculator — No Signup Required ◆
Calculate What Your Heater Costs to Run
Hourly, daily & monthly cost estimates — electric, heat pump, propane, or gas. US average rates pre-filled from EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026. Edit them to match your own bill.
Interactive Tool
Calculate Your Heating Cost
Key Factors
What Affects Your Heating Cost?
- Heater wattage or BTU output
- Daily usage hours
- Electricity or fuel rates by state
- Home insulation quality
- Outdoor temperature and climate zone
Quick Reference
Cheapest Way to Heat Your Home
At US average rates — electricity 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026) and natural gas $1.44/therm (EIA, winter average, November 2025 - March 2026 (US); December 2025 - February 2026 (by state)). Which one wins flips state by state: check your own on the state pages.
Compare all heating types →How It Works
Three Steps to an Estimate
Select Your Heater
Choose from electric, heat pump, propane, gas furnace, or infrared. Enter your wattage or BTU output and daily runtime.
Enter Your Energy Rate
Input the rate from your own utility bill, or keep the US average of 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026). Propane and gas rates are pre-filled too.
Find your state energy rate →Get Instant Estimates
See hourly, daily, and monthly heating costs instantly, with the efficiency assumptions we used shown underneath — no account, no email, no waiting.
May 2026 rates
Monthly Cost to Deliver the Same Heat
| Heater Type | Monthly Cost | Best For | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas Furnace | $19–$22 | Whole home, where gas is available | 80–92% AFUE |
| Heat Pump | $21–$33 | Whole home, also provides cooling | Seasonal COP 2.0–3.2 |
| Propane Heater | $43 | Off-grid, garages | 80% AFUE |
| Electric Space Heater | $66 | Small rooms | 100% (resistance) |
| Infrared Heater | $66 | Spot heating a person, not a room | 100% (resistance) |
How these are worked out. Every row delivers the same 1.23 million BTU of heat per month — the output of a 1,500 W electric heater run 8 hrs/day for 30 days. Rates used: electricity 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026); natural gas $1.44/therm (EIA, winter average, November 2025 - March 2026 (US); December 2025 - February 2026 (by state)); propane $2.55/gal (EIA, heating-season average, October 2025 - March 2026). Electric space heaters and infrared heaters cost the same to run because every electric resistance heater turns ~100% of the electricity it draws into heat — the difference is where the heat goes, not how much you buy. Your own cost depends on your utility rate, your equipment and how much of the house you heat.
Looking for Energy Efficient Options?
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it, so it buys the same warmth for roughly a third of the electricity a resistance heater uses. Swapping one resistance heater for another does not change the bill.
Real Examples
Real Heating Cost Scenarios
1,500-Watt Space Heater
8 hrs/day · 18.44¢/kWh1,500 W is the practical ceiling for a plug-in heater on a standard 120 V outlet, and it puts out 5,118 BTU/hr — enough for about 150 sq ft at the usual 10 watts per square foot. See a full breakdown of running costs by hours per day.
Heat Pump (12,000 BTU, COP 2.8)
10 hrs/day · 18.44¢/kWhA heat pump moves heat rather than making it, so at a seasonal COP of 2.8 it buys the same warmth for about 64% less electricity than resistance heat. It delivers 12,000 BTU/hr here — more than twice a 1,500 W heater — so the monthly figure is not directly comparable to the card on the left.
Propane Heater (50,000 BTU/hr delivered)
6 hrs/day · $2.55/gal · 80% AFUEDelivering 50,000 BTU/hr at 80% efficiency burns about 0.68 gallons an hour, and propane prices swing widely by region and season. Compare this to electric heat to find what works for your home.
Assumptions. 30-day month. Electricity 18.44¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026); propane $2.55/gal (EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (weekly) — heating-season average, October 2025 - March 2026; that series pauses April–September). Propane is costed on fuel burned at 91,500 BTU per gallon and 80% AFUE, running at full output for the hours shown. The three cards deliver different amounts of heat, so read each one against your own setup rather than against the others.
All Tools
More Free Heating Calculators
By Location
Popular States
Jump to your state with local rates pre-filled. Electricity rates are from EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026 — a single month, not a full-year average. Winter temperatures are December–February averages from NOAA station normals.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Calculate Your Heating Cost Now
Free, instant, no signup required. Get an hourly, daily, and monthly heating cost estimate in seconds, with the rates and efficiency assumptions shown.