Oregon Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator
Compare annual heating costs for natural gas, electric resistance, heating oil, and heat pump systems using Oregon utility rates.
Heating Load
MMBtu/yrOregon Utility Rates (pre-filled with 2024 averages)
$/therm $/kWh $/gallonSystem Efficiencies
% % % COPFormulas Used
- Natural Gas: Cost = (MMBtu ÷ AFUE) ÷ 0.1 × $/therm | (1 therm = 0.1 MMBtu)
- Electric Resistance: Cost = (MMBtu ÷ Eff) × 293.07 kWh/MMBtu × $/kWh
- Heating Oil: Cost = (MMBtu ÷ AFUE) ÷ 0.1385 MMBtu/gal × $/gallon
- Heat Pump: Cost = (MMBtu × 293.07) ÷ COP × $/kWh | COP replaces efficiency
- CO₂ — Gas: (MMBtu ÷ AFUE) × 117 lbs/MMBtu (EPA)
- CO₂ — Oil: (MMBtu ÷ AFUE) × 163 lbs/MMBtu (EPA)
- CO₂ — Electric/HP: kWh × 0.524 lbs/kWh (Oregon eGRID 2022)
Assumptions & References
- Natural gas rate: NW Natural Oregon average ~$1.45/therm (2024 Oregon PUC filings)
- Electricity rate: Portland General Electric ~$0.135/kWh; Pacific Power ~$0.125/kWh (2024)
- Heating oil: Oregon EIA average ~$4.20/gallon (EIA Weekly Heating Oil & Propane Prices, 2024)
- Heating oil energy content: 138,500 BTU/gallon = 0.1385 MMBtu/gallon (EIA)
- 1 therm = 100,000 BTU = 0.1 MMBtu; 1 MMBtu = 293.07 kWh
- Oregon grid CO₂ intensity: 0.524 lbs CO₂/kWh (EPA eGRID 2022, NWPP subregion)
- Natural gas CO₂: 117 lbs/MMBtu; Heating oil CO₂: 163 lbs/MMBtu (EPA GHG Emission Factors Hub)
- Typical Oregon home heating load: 40–80 MMBtu/year (NEEA Residential Building Stock Assessment)
- Heat pump COP 2.8 reflects cold-climate ASHP performance in Oregon winters (NEEP ccASHP list)
- Costs are fuel/energy costs only; installation, maintenance, and carbon pricing not included