hvac · 20000W typical
Running a electric furnace costs about $316.80/month.
That's the typical electric furnace at 20000W, run 8 hours a day at the US-average rate of 16.5¢/kWh. Change any of those and the number moves — use the calculator below to see yours.
Estimated cost
A electric furnace draws full power only while the thermostat/compressor is running — about 3.2 effective hours at 20000W across your 8-hour window.
How you use it
Cost shifts with how long it's on.
The same electric furnace can cost very different amounts depending on usage patterns. Three common scenarios, at the US-average rate.
cold snap primary heat
$316.80
per month
resistance coils run during coldest days
heat pump backup
$79.20
per month
kicks in when heat pump can't keep up
mild winter day
$118.80
per month
short cycles on a 40°F morning
Where you live
$574.08 spread between the cheapest and priciest states.
Same appliance, same hours of use, different zip code — the monthly cost varies this much.
| State | Rate | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 41.2¢ | $791.04 | $9,624.32 |
| California | 31.4¢ | $602.88 | $7,335.04 |
| Massachusetts | 30.8¢ | $591.36 | $7,194.88 |
| Connecticut | 28.7¢ | $551.04 | $6,704.32 |
| Rhode Island | 27.9¢ | $535.68 | $6,517.44 |
| New Hampshire | 24.6¢ | $472.32 | $5,746.56 |
| Alaska | 24.3¢ | $466.56 | $5,676.48 |
| New York | 22.3¢ | $428.16 | $5,209.28 |
| Maine | 22.1¢ | $424.32 | $5,162.56 |
| Vermont | 21.5¢ | $412.80 | $5,022.40 |
| Michigan | 19.3¢ | $370.56 | $4,508.48 |
| New Jersey | 19.1¢ | $366.72 | $4,461.76 |
| Maryland | 18.4¢ | $353.28 | $4,298.24 |
| Pennsylvania | 18.1¢ | $347.52 | $4,228.16 |
| District of Columbia | 17.8¢ | $341.76 | $4,158.08 |
| Wisconsin | 17.4¢ | $334.08 | $4,064.64 |
| Delaware | 17.2¢ | $330.24 | $4,017.92 |
| Illinois | 16.9¢ | $324.48 | $3,947.84 |
| Ohio | 16.6¢ | $318.72 | $3,877.76 |
| Nevada | 16.3¢ | $312.96 | $3,807.68 |
| Indiana | 15.8¢ | $303.36 | $3,690.88 |
| Virginia | 15.7¢ | $301.44 | $3,667.52 |
| Minnesota | 15.6¢ | $299.52 | $3,644.16 |
| Colorado | 15.4¢ | $295.68 | $3,597.44 |
| Alabama | 15.2¢ | $291.84 | $3,550.72 |
| West Virginia | 15.2¢ | $291.84 | $3,550.72 |
| Florida | 15.1¢ | $289.92 | $3,527.36 |
| New Mexico | 14.8¢ | $284.16 | $3,457.28 |
| Texas | 14.8¢ | $284.16 | $3,457.28 |
| Arizona | 14.7¢ | $282.24 | $3,433.92 |
| South Carolina | 14.7¢ | $282.24 | $3,433.92 |
| Kansas | 14.6¢ | $280.32 | $3,410.56 |
| Georgia | 14.2¢ | $272.64 | $3,317.12 |
| Iowa | 14.1¢ | $270.72 | $3,293.76 |
| North Carolina | 13.9¢ | $266.88 | $3,247.04 |
| Missouri | 13.6¢ | $261.12 | $3,176.96 |
| Oregon | 13.4¢ | $257.28 | $3,130.24 |
| Tennessee | 13.3¢ | $255.36 | $3,106.88 |
| Kentucky | 13.2¢ | $253.44 | $3,083.52 |
| Mississippi | 13.1¢ | $251.52 | $3,060.16 |
| Oklahoma | 13.1¢ | $251.52 | $3,060.16 |
| South Dakota | 12.7¢ | $243.84 | $2,966.72 |
| Montana | 12.4¢ | $238.08 | $2,896.64 |
| Nebraska | 12.2¢ | $234.24 | $2,849.92 |
| Arkansas | 12.1¢ | $232.32 | $2,826.56 |
| Washington | 12.1¢ | $232.32 | $2,826.56 |
| Louisiana | 11.9¢ | $228.48 | $2,779.84 |
| Wyoming | 11.6¢ | $222.72 | $2,709.76 |
| North Dakota | 11.5¢ | $220.80 | $2,686.40 |
| Utah | 11.4¢ | $218.88 | $2,663.04 |
| Idaho | 11.3¢ | $216.96 | $2,639.68 |
Efficient vs. inefficient
A $3,854.40/year difference across the wattage range.
Swapping a high-draw model for an efficient one pays for itself. Here's what that looks like annually at typical usage.
Most efficient
10000W
$158.40 per month
$1,927.20 per year
Typical
20000W
$316.80 per month
$3,854.40 per year
High draw
30000W
$475.20 per month
$5,781.60 per year
When it hits hardest
winter peak
Nov-Mar dominant; single largest winter bill driver in electric-heat homes.
Ways to cut the cost
- 1
Upgrade to a heat pump — electric resistance is 2-3x more expensive to run
Typical savings: $800-1,500/year in cold climates
- 2
Set thermostat so emergency heat is never the default
Resistance heat is 200-300% more costly than heat pump mode
- 3
Seal envelope — electric furnaces punish leaky homes more than any other system
Can cut 20-40% of winter bills
Real-world wattages
Pulled from actual spec sheets.
| Brand | Model | Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Goodman | MBR Series (20kW) | 20000W |
| First Company | 24HBXB-HW (24kW) | 24000W |
| Rheem | RH1T (15kW) | 15000W |
Picks that actually move the needle
Three products worth comparing if you're thinking about upgrading or supplementing what you have.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy, we may earn a small commission — it never changes the price you pay, and we only recommend picks we would stand behind.
See also
Related appliances
Sources: www.energy.gov · www.energystar.gov
Last updated: 2026-04-13