Now you can see for yourself which is cheaper
natural gas or electricity.
Gas
Electricity
First, estimate the
First, estimate the
1.
Annual Energy Consumption (AEC):
AEC=.77 x
DHR x HLH x(100/100,000)x(1/AFUE)
Equation derived from Gas Appliance
Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Procedure for Estimating the Annual
Heating Requirements and comparing
the Costs of Operation of Different
Models.
2. Here's
how the formula works:
CLEVELAND EXAMPLE:
A house has a heat
loss of 38,500 Btuh, the HLH = 1,730
hrs. A typical new gas furnace has
an AFUE of 80 and an averaged price
of natural gas is $.587 per Therm.
(Remember to average the rates for
all heating months since rates may
vary from month to month.)
ANNUAL
ENERGY CONSUMPTION (AEC)
.77 X 38,500 Btuh X 1,730 HRS X
(100/100,000)x(1/80) = 641 Therms
ANNUAL
FUEL COST (OF GAS)
641
Therms x $.587/Theorem = $376.27
ANNUAL
OPERATING COST (BLOWER)
10% x FUEL
COST = $37.62
ANNUAL
CUSTOMER CHARGE (If Applicable)
$7/month x
12 months = $84.00
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL OPERATING COST
$376.27 +
$37.62 + $84.00 = $497.89
1.
Annual Energy Consumption (AEC):
AEC = .77
x DHR x HLH x (1/1000)x(1/HSPF)
Equation derived from Air
Conditioning of America (ACCA Manual
J load calculation, Energy
Consumption and Operating Cost.
2. Here's
how the formula works:
CLEVELAND EXAMPLE:
A house has a
heat loss of 38,500 Btuh, the HLH =
1,730 hrs. A typical new heat pump
has a HSPF of 7.0 and the cost of
electricity is .05376/kWh.
(Remember
to check the most recent rates.)
ANNUAL
ENERGY CONSUMPTION (AEC)
.77 X 38,500 Btuh x 1,730 hrs.
x(1/1000)x(1/70 W-hr) =7,326 kWh
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL OPERATING COST
7,612 kWh
X $.05376/kWh = $393.00
There You Have It!
Cost for Electric Heat Pump
$393.00
Per Year
Cost for Natural Gas Furnace
$497.89
Per Year
For a more detailed analysis and worksheet,
contact Cleveland Utilities at (423) 478-9341
