HVAC CALCULATOR

Electric Furnace Cost Calculator

Estimate how much it may cost to run an electric furnace based on furnace size, electricity price, daily runtime, and heating-season length.

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1. Electric Furnace Size

Enter the electrical heating capacity of your furnace or electric air handler.

kW
Look for the electric heat kit or furnace rating on the equipment data plate or manufacturer specifications.
Electric Heat Conversion 1 kW ≈ 3,412 BTU/hr

A 15 kW electric furnace therefore provides approximately 51,182 BTU/hr of resistance heating capacity at rated output.

Common electric heat sizes:
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2. Electricity Price

Enter the approximate price you pay for electricity.

$ per kWh
Your electricity rate can usually be found on your utility bill. Use your actual delivered energy rate when possible.
What is a kWh? 1 kW × 1 hour = 1 kWh

A 15 kW furnace operating continuously at full capacity for one hour uses approximately 15 kWh of electricity.

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3. Estimated Furnace Runtime

Estimate how many hours the electric heating elements operate during a typical heating day.

hours
Enter cumulative heating-element runtime rather than simply the number of hours the thermostat is turned on.
days
Heating-season length varies significantly with climate, weather, insulation, and thermostat settings.
Not sure about runtime? Electric furnace runtime can vary considerably throughout the heating season. Try several scenarios—for example, 3, 6, and 10 hours per day—to see how strongly runtime affects estimated electricity costs.
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4. Blower Electricity (Optional)

Include blower motor electricity if it is not already included in the furnace’s stated kW input.

YOUR ESTIMATE

Estimated Electric Furnace Operating Cost

Based on the furnace capacity, electricity rate, and runtime you entered.

Estimated Heating Season Cost $0 Estimated electricity cost
Cost per Operating Hour $0.00
Estimated Daily Cost $0.00
Estimated 30-Day Cost $0.00
Heating Season Cost $0.00

Electricity Use & Heating Output

Electric Furnace Size —
Approximate Heating Capacity —
Electricity Used per Heating Hour —
Estimated Electricity per Day —
Estimated 30-Day Electricity Use —
Estimated Seasonal Electricity Use —
Electricity Rate Used —
Estimated Seasonal Runtime —

⚡ Where Does the Cost Come From?

15 kW × $0.18/kWh = $2.70/hour

💡 What Does Your Estimate Mean?

Electric Furnace Cost Formula

Electricity per hour Furnace kW × 1 hour
Cost per hour Furnace kW × Electricity rate
Approximate BTU/hr Furnace kW × 3,412.142
Seasonal cost Hourly cost × Runtime/day × Heating days
⚡ Electric Furnace vs. Heat Pump

This calculator is designed primarily for electric resistance furnaces and electric heat strips. It should not be used to estimate normal heat-pump compressor operating costs. A heat pump moves heat rather than relying entirely on electric resistance heating, so its energy-use calculation requires different performance information.

Important: This calculator provides an educational estimate of electric furnace operating costs. Actual electricity consumption can vary based on outdoor temperature, thermostat settings, heating-element staging, equipment controls, blower operation, home insulation, air leakage, duct losses, equipment sizing, utility rate structure, and household behavior. Utility bills may also include fixed charges, taxes, demand charges, tiered pricing, time-of-use rates, and other fees not included in this estimate. Verify equipment specifications and current utility rates when estimating actual heating costs.

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