Electric vs Propane Heater Cost
Compare electric resistance and propane heating costs per BTU. Find the cheaper option for your garage or home.
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Propane costs roughly $0.018 per 1,000 BTU at $2.50/gallon and 80% efficiency. Electric resistance costs $0.038 per 1,000 BTU at $0.13/kWh. Propane is typically 40–50% cheaper per BTU than electric resistance heat — but more expensive than natural gas.
Electric vs Propane Heater Cost Calculator
Electric vs Propane — Cost Per Hour by BTU Output (US 2026)
| BTU Output | Electric ($0.13/kWh) | Propane ($2.50/gal, 80%) | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000 BTU | ~$0.38/hr | ~$0.27/hr | Propane |
| 30,000 BTU | ~$1.14/hr | ~$0.82/hr | Propane |
| 50,000 BTU | ~$1.91/hr | ~$1.37/hr | Propane |
| 80,000 BTU | ~$3.05/hr | ~$2.19/hr | Propane |
Electric $0.13/kWh. Propane $2.50/gal, 80% efficiency. Propane is consistently 25–30% cheaper per BTU than electric resistance.
When Is Propane Cheaper Than Electric Heat?
Propane costs roughly $0.018 per 1,000 BTU at $2.50/gallon and 80% efficiency. Electric resistance costs $0.038 per 1,000 BTU at $0.13/kWh. Propane is consistently 40–50% cheaper per BTU than electric resistance heat, making it the better choice for homes without natural gas access.
The math shifts at high propane prices. If propane rises above $3.50/gallon, the cost per 1,000 BTU climbs to $0.025 — still cheaper than electric at average rates, but the gap narrows. In states with cheap electricity (under $0.08/kWh), electric resistance can actually beat propane. A heat pump at COP 3.0 beats both at roughly $0.013 per 1,000 BTU.
Propane is most common in rural areas without natural gas lines. A 30,000 BTU propane garage heater running 6 hours a day costs roughly $0.82/hr or $148/month. The same output with electric resistance costs $1.14/hr or $205/month. For garage-specific calculations, try our propane garage heater cost or electric garage heater cost calculators.