Heat pump vs each heating fuel

Running-cost head-to-heads, with the energy math and the break-even logic.

A heat pump's advantage over a fuel depends on two things: how much heat that fuel delivers per dollar (its energy content, efficiency and price) versus how much heat the heat pump delivers per dollar of electricity (its seasonal COP and your electricity price). Heat pumps win easily against electric resistance, propane and oil; against cheap natural gas it is a real contest. Pick a comparison below, or jump to your state.

Source: ENERGY STAR Thermal Energy Conversions. Data as of June 2026.

Heat pump vs natural gas

The closest race — when cheap gas still wins, and when the heat pump pulls ahead.

Heat pump vs propane

Propane is expensive per BTU — heat pumps usually win big here.

Heat pump vs heating oil

Oil heat in the Northeast vs a cold-climate heat pump.

Heat pump vs electric resistance

Same electricity, 2-3x the heat — the easiest win for a heat pump.

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Last updated: 2026-06-29