How Much Heat are You Getting for Your Dollar?
| Energy Source | Heating Equipment | Energy Equation* | Amount of Heat per $1.00 Spent |
| ELECTRICITY | WaterFurnaceTM System** Geothermal Heat Pump | 3413 BTU x 430%
$0.11 per KWH |
133,400 BTU’s |
| Electric Furnace | 3413 BTU x 100%
$0.11 per KWH |
31,000 BTU’s | |
| Air Source Heat Pump | 3413 BTU x 240%
$0.11 per KWH |
74,500 BTU’s | |
| OIL | Oil Furnace | 36,668 BTU x 55%
$1.00 per Litre |
20,167 BTU’s |
| High Efficiency Oil Furnace | 36,668 BTU x 85%
$1.00 per Litre |
31,168 BTU’s | |
| PROPANE | Propane Furnace | 25,217 BTU x 55%
$0.80 per Litre |
17,336 BTU’s |
| Hi Efficient Propane Furnace | 25,217 BTU x 95%
$0.80 per Litre |
29,945 BTU’s | |
| NATURAL GAS | Natural Gas Furnace | 35,314 BTU x 55%
$0.42 per Cubic Litre |
46,244 BTU’s |
| Mid Efficient Gas Furnace | 35,314 BTU x 80%
$0.42 per Cubic Litre |
67,264 BTU’s | |
| Hi Efficient Gas Furnace | 35,314 BTU x 95%
$0.42 per Cubic Litre |
75,672 BTU’s |
The energy used to heat your house is measured in BTU’s (British Thermal Units). The size of your furnace is measured in heating BTU’s it can provide; for example, a common furnace size is 50,000 BTU’s.
BTU’s per $100 Spent on Energy = ((BTU’s per Energy Used Conversion Factor) x (Furnace Efficiency)) / (Current Cost of Energy)
Energy Used Conversion Factors
- Electricity - 1 Kilowatt Hour = 3,413 BTU’s
- Oil - 1 Litre = 36,668 BTU’s
- Propane - 1 Litre = 25,217 BTU’s
- Natural Gas - 1 Cubic Meter = 35,314 BTU’s
Table Notes
* The above calculations are based upon average operating furnace efficiencies that occur during a typical heating season.
Energy costs are based on data from the Muskoka area on September 25, 2008.
**Efficiencies shown are for a WaterFurnace Envision 48,000 BTU, dual capacity model on a ground loop system
