The chart below shows a comparison of annual home heating fuel costs based on the most recent infor-mation obtained from suppliers in Snohomish County. The chart also shows that electric heat pumps continue to provide a very cost-effective heating source. (Electric costs based on PUD residential billing rate of 10.4 cents per kilowatt-hour.)

The costs are based on the space heating needs for an average single family home. Individual consump-tions can vary significantly, depending on thermostat settings, air leakage, house construction, and other factors.

• Electric Heat Pump

• 5888kWH

• $612

• 7350kWH

• $764

• 8825kWH

• $918

• Gas Furnace

• 667 therms

• $1014

• 883 therms

• $1266

• 1000 therms

• $1520

• Electric Baseboard

• 11730 kWH

• $1220

• 14650 kWH

• $1524

• 17575 kWH

• $1828

• Electric Furnace

• 14650 kWH

• $1524

• 18313 kWH

• $1905

• 21975 kWH

• $2285

• Propane Furnace

• 725 gallons

• $1631

• 906 gallons

• $2083

• 1087 gallons

• $2446

• Oil Furnace

• 480 gallons

• $1445

• 600 gallons

• $1806

• 719 gallons

• $2164

• $300
• $600
• $900
• $1200
• $1500
• $1800
• $2100
• $2400
• $2700

System assumptions:

• Electric heat pump: HSPF 8.5, $0.104/kWh, 3413 Btu/kWh, 25% duct loss
• Gas Furnace: 80% efficiency, $1.52/therm, 100,000 Btu/therm, 25% duct loss
• Electric baseboard: 100% efficiency, $0.104/kWh, 3413 Btu/kWh • Propane furnace: 80% efficiency, $2.25/gallon, 92,000 Btu/gallon, 25% duct loss
• Electric furnace: 100% efficiency, $0.104/kWh, 3413 Btu/kWh, 25% duct loss
• Oil furnace: 80% efficiency, $3.01/gallon, 139,000 Btu/gallon, 25% duct loss