| Compare Heating Costs.
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Here are some example fuel prices to compare different Heating systems:
Natural gas 60% efficient $1.20/CCF(therm) Cost per MBTUs = $20.00
Natural gas 80% efficient $1.20/CCF(therm) Cost per MBTUs = $15.00
Natural gas 90% efficient $1.20/CCF(therm) Cost per MBTUs = $13.33
Electric Furnace $.06/kWh Cost per MBTUs = $17.58
Electric 12 Seer heat pump $.06/kWh Cost per MBTUs = $8.00
Propane gas 80% efficient $1.60/gal. Cost per MBTUs = $16.67
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| As shown in the list above, if you know the type of Heating system and the current cost of fuels, you can easily compare different fuels and Heating systems.
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With these factors in mind, lets look at some cost comparisons of the more popular Heating systems on the market, based on the following assumptions:
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Ranch Style House = 1,200 square feet
Heat Loss = 40,700 Btuh
- Main floor = 22,500
- Basement = 18,200
Insulation levels
- Side Walls = R-21
- Basement Walls = R-13
- Ceiling = R-49
Windows and occupy less than 15% of total wall area.
Heating Degree Days = 6500 (approximate average for Nebraska)
Energy Charges
- Electricity = $0.05 / kWh
- Natural Gas = $1.40 / Therm
- Propane = $1.40 / Gallon
The formula used for this calculation is:
Annual Use = Heat Loss (BTUH) x Degree Days x 17
Delta T x SPF x BTU's per unit of fuel
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Wood
Natural Gas
Propane
Electric
Wall Heaters
Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)
Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs)
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| Wood, the Heating fuel of the past. Put away your chain saw and save your weekends. Installed cost for stove and chimney: $2000 to $5000 or more. Save your money for more insulation.
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| Natural Gas is a good choice if it's available. Natural gas is roughly 2/3 the cost of propane, and it's roughly the same cost of electric heat (register wall heaters). Natural Gas is available only in more densely populated areas. Because Natural Gas used to be the least expensive fuel, many folks built new Natural-Gas heated homes with sub-standard insulation levels. Installed cost for natural gas furnace: $6,000 to $10,000.
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| Natural Gas is a good choice if it's available. Natural gas is roughly 2/3 the cost of propane, and it's roughly the same cost of electric heat (register wall heaters). Natural Gas is available only in more densely populated areas. Because Natural Gas used to be the least expensive fuel, many folks built new Natural-Gas heated homes with sub-standard insulation levels. Installed cost for natural gas furnace: $6,000 to $10,000.
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| Propane is "the other gas," but don't let the blue flame fool you: it is not priced close to Natural Gas. Propane heat is about 50% more expensive than natural gas. And it's 50% more expensive today than electric heat at our rate of 5.36 cents per kilowatt-hour. (NorthWestern electric is 9.62 cents per kWh.) Don't forget to factor in the propane tank rental when comparing costs. Installed cost for propane furnace: $6,000 to $10,000.
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| Electric Wall Heaters are approximately 14" long by 7" high electric heaters that are installed in each room in your home. The thermostat is installed at chest height above the unit. Each unit is individually controlled, so you can heat one room to 72 degrees and another to 68. In todays super-insulated electrically heated home, the heaters can be installed on interior walls rather than under windows. Each heater has a quiet blower. Heaters are 100% efficient. Installed cost: Roughly $1,500 to $2,000.
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| Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are electric heat pumps that absorb heat from the outside air. They are only now becoming usable in our cold climate (where there isn't much heat in the outside air in January). A few years back ASHPs installed in Western Montana gave the term "heat pump" a black eye because they did not perform well. Today's higher quality ASHPs offer 150% to 200% efficiency and summer cooling. Installed cost: $8,000 to $14,000.
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| Ground source heat pump Illustration.Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) are a relatively new breed of heat pump. They absorb heat from the ground rather than the air. Even on the coldest day of winter the earth remains a stable 47 degrees. In the summertime, the GSHP cools your home. The system also heats half of your hot water. GSHPs are 250% to 350% efficient. A GSHP is an especially good Heating system choice with a 3000 square foot home and larger. (Though this figure depends greatly on how well you are insulated.) A GSHP-heated home is quiet and comfortable, and your electric bills are small. Installed cost: $12,000 to $20,000.
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