How this calculator works
Compare the modeled electricity cost of a heat pump and an electric resistance furnace for the same monthly heating load.
Compare the same amount of delivered heat
A fair comparison starts with the heat the home needs, not the equipment nameplate. The calculator gives both systems the same monthly delivered-heat requirement and converts that requirement into electricity use.
- Heat-pump COP represents heat delivered per unit of electricity.
- Electric resistance equipment is modeled with an efficiency near 1.0.
- The result covers energy charges, not installation or repair costs.
Why outdoor temperature matters
Heat-pump efficiency changes with outdoor temperature, equipment sizing, defrost operation, and backup resistance heat. Use a seasonal or cold-weather COP that reflects the period you want to model rather than a laboratory maximum.
What this comparison leaves out
Duct losses, auxiliary heat, fixed utility fees, maintenance, rebates, financing, and equipment life can change the total ownership decision. This tool isolates electricity use so one part of the comparison remains transparent.
Frequently asked questions
What COP should I use for a heat pump?
Use a seasonal performance estimate or a value from an applicable performance table at the outdoor temperature you are studying. A single rated COP may overstate cold-weather performance.
Is an electric furnace really 100% efficient?
Resistance heat converts nearly all electricity used at the equipment into heat, but distribution losses and electricity-generation losses are outside this site-level calculation.
Does the result include installation cost?
No. It compares modeled electricity use and energy charges only.
Use equipment documentation, your utility rate schedule, and measured data when they are available.