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HVAC made simple
HVAC CALCULATOR
Furnace Operating Cost Calculator
Estimate how much it may cost to run your furnace by hour, day, month, and heating season based on furnace type, capacity, efficiency, energy price, and estimated runtime.
1. Furnace Details
Enter the basic specifications for your furnace.
BTU/hr
Look for the furnace input rating on the equipment
data plate or manufacturer specifications.
%
Common gas furnace ratings include approximately
80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, and 98% AFUE.
2. Your Energy Price
Use your latest utility bill for the most useful estimate.
$
per therm
Enter the approximate delivered cost per therm from
your utility bill when available.
3. Estimated Furnace Runtime
Estimate how long the furnace actually operates during a typical heating day.
hours
This should represent cumulative burner or heating
runtime, not simply the number of hours the thermostat
is turned on.
days
Colder climates generally have longer heating seasons.
Not sure about runtime?
Furnace runtime varies considerably with outdoor temperature, thermostat setting, insulation, equipment sizing, home construction, and climate. Try several runtime scenarios to see how operating cost changes.
4. Blower Electricity (Optional)
Include estimated furnace blower electricity for a more complete operating-cost estimate.
YOUR ESTIMATE
Estimated Furnace Operating Cost
Based on the furnace and usage information you entered.
Estimated Heating Season Cost
$0
Estimated fuel cost for the heating season
Cost per Operating Hour
$0.00
Estimated Daily Cost
$0.00
Estimated 30-Day Cost
$0.00
Estimated Seasonal Cost
$0.00
Energy Use Estimate
Furnace Type
—
Approximate Useful Heat Output
—
Energy Used per Operating Hour
—
Estimated Daily Runtime
—
Estimated Seasonal Runtime
—
Energy Price Used
—
💡 What Does This Estimate Mean?
🔥 Why AFUE Matters
AFUE describes how efficiently a furnace converts fuel energy into useful heat over a heating season. A higher AFUE generally means a greater portion of the fuel’s energy is converted into useful heating.
Operating cost, however, also depends heavily on fuel price, weather, thermostat settings, furnace runtime, home heat loss, equipment sizing, and installation.
Want to compare furnaces?
Change the AFUE rating, furnace capacity, or local energy price and calculate again. This can help you compare how different assumptions affect estimated operating cost.
Important:
This calculator provides a preliminary operating-cost
estimate for educational and planning purposes. Actual
furnace energy use and utility costs can vary significantly
with weather, climate, home construction, insulation,
thermostat settings, equipment staging or modulation,
duct losses, furnace sizing, utility rate structures,
maintenance, blower operation, and occupant behavior.
Utility bills may also include fixed charges, taxes, fees,
and other costs not included here. Consult current utility
rates and a qualified HVAC professional when evaluating
equipment or projected savings.