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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/yr

Oregon Utility Rates (pre-filled with 2024 averages)

$/therm
$/kWh
$/gallon

System Efficiencies

%
%
%
COP

Formulas 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

Formulas Used

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