With energy bills on the rise, comparing the costs of electric heat vs gas heat can be an important decision for homeowners looking to save money. Colder winter weather and a global energy shock are causing concern for residential heating customers. The U.S. Department of Energy projects that this winter heating bills will jump (opens in new tab) 28% for natural gas, 27% for heating oil, 10% for electricity, and 5% for propane.
If like most people, you're keen to know how to cut energy costs — is there a difference between electric heat and gas heat, where homeowner bills are concerned?
Electric heat: cost to run
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (opens in new tab), the average cost of electricity in the U.S. is 16.32 cents per kilowatt hour or kWh. The EIA (opens in new tab) projects that electric heating costs for U.S. homeowners will average $1,359 for winter 2022-2023, a 10% increase from last winter.
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In terms of U.S. regional differences, electric heating costs will average $1,400-$1,700 in all regions but the South, where they will run at approximately $1,250.
The Efficiency Maine Trust (opens in new tab) provides the following cost breakdown for electric heating systems:
| Fuel Type (Units) | Cost per Unit Delivered | Heating System | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (kWh) | 0.23 | Geothermal Heat Pump | $ 1,681 |
| Electric (kWh) | 0.23 | Heat Pump (ductless) | $ 2,297 |
| Electric (kWh) | 0.23 | Heat Pump (ducted) | $ 2,871 |
| Electric (kWh) | 0.23 | Electric Baseboard | $ 6,202 |
| Row 4 - Cell 0 | Row 4 - Cell 1 | Row 4 - Cell 2 | Row 4 - Cell 3 |
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing a more energy-efficient electric heat pump can reduce energy usage in your home significantly, compared to traditional electric resistance heating such as furnaces and baseboard heaters. The most common type, ducted air-source heat pumps, reduces energy use by approximately 50%. More expensive options like geothermal heat pumps can reduce energy use by up to 60%. This type of upgrade saves you on a monthly basis, but you should include sizable upfront installation costs as part of your bill calculations.
However, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy reports that heat pumps may not provide enough heat in especially cold northern regions, resulting in a need for alternative fuel sources and higher bills. In addition, many homeowners may not be able to use the most efficient geothermal heat pump type, which requires digging a large trench near or under your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (opens in new tab).
Gas heat: cost to run
The Energy Information Administration (opens in new tab) estimates that homes heated by natural gas will spend about $930 this winter, 28% more than they spent last winter. This forecasted increase comes from both higher expected prices and consumption.
The EIA report also shows that gas-heating households in the Northeast and Midwest are projected to pay $1,000-$1,100 for the season, based on colder temperatures and higher demand, while homes in the West and South will pay between $700-$800.
The Efficiency Maine Trust provides the following cost breakdown for gas heating systems:
| Fuel Type (Units) | Cost per Unit Delivered | Heating System | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas (therm) | 1.90 | Natural Gas Boiler | $ 2,111 |
| Natural Gas (therm) | 1.90 | Natural Gas Room Heater | $ 2,158 |
| Natural Gas (therm) | 1.90 | Natural Gas Furnace | $ 2,349 |
| Row 3 - Cell 0 | Row 3 - Cell 1 | Row 3 - Cell 2 | Row 3 - Cell 3 |
The verdict
Electric heat has higher monthly operating costs compared with a gas system, based on the most recent U.S. government statistics.
While electric heat pumps can save you money over even the most efficient gas systems, they involve hefty installation costs and may not be sufficient to fully heat your home, depending on your region. And the most cost-efficient geothermal heat pump systems are not an option for homeowners without land for an underground trench.
In the long run, a well-maintained natural gas boiler system provides the most cost-effective option for the average homeowner across the U.S.
No matter your choice, you can also meaningfully cut your heating costs by doing a few small things.
- If you only use certain rooms in your home, try to use spot heating rather than running your whole home system.
- Consider getting a home energy audit to identify fixes that optimize efficiency and comfort.
- And, you can insulate your home with the help of energy efficiency tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
For more energy-saving content, check out our home savings hub.
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