Central
Heating Systems*
|
1994 average
operation cost comparisons
|
|
Type of
equipment
|
|
Efficiency
|
|
Energy
Used**
|
|
Annual
Fuel Costs
|
|
Annual
Electric Costs
|
|
Total
Operating Costs
|
|
Conventional
Gas
|
78%
|
902 therms/882
kwh
|
$545
|
$74
|
$619
|
|
High-efficiency
Gas
|
94%
|
757 therms/149
kwh
|
$457
|
$13
|
$470
|
|
Conventional
Oil
|
80%
|
633 gallons/839
kwh
|
$667
|
$71
|
$738
|
|
High-efficiency
Oil
|
87%
|
608 gallons/475
kwh
|
$641
|
$40
|
$681
|
|
Electric
Resistance
|
99%
|
21,873
kwh
|
-
|
$1,840
|
$1,840
|
|
Heat
Pump***
|
8.0
hspf
|
8,811 kwh
|
-
|
$741
|
$741
|
*Gas cost comparisons
on these pages use our base rate of .65331 per therm. To the extent
that gas costs exceed the amount included in our base rate, the
excess gas costs should be added to the base rate for comparative
purposes.
** Gas and oil furnaces use some electricity for ignition, fans,
etc.
*** Heat pump efficiency is rated by heating season performance
factor (HSPF). The average new heat pump has an hspf of 6.5.
High-efficiency models range from 7.3 to 9.2 hspf. Actual
performance drops below 40 degrees F. Back-up heating is often
required.
