You can use your electric furnace more as the temperature drops. It appears that you’ve been using it for a long time. This usage time can be concerning because you may not know it until you receive your bill. We researched to provide you with the answer.
Electricity rates differ by state. On the other hand, the average cost of one kWh is $0.12. In cold weather, a 1,000-square-foot home requires approximately 45,000 BTU to maintain a comfortable temperature. 1 kWh equals 3,412 BTU, so 45,000 BTU equals about 13 kWh.
Using these figures and operating an electric heater for seven hours per day, the cost would be:
- 13 kWh x 7 hours x $0.12/day
- cost per day multiplied by 30 = $11 multiplied by 30 = $330/month
You may be more concerned when you get home now that you know how much it costs to run an electric furnace.
What is the difference between an electric furnace and a gas furnace? Is natural gas inexpensive? What are some alternatives to using electric furnaces? Continue reading to find out more.
To calculate the amount of heat required to heat your home in BTUs, you must first know two things:
- Your home’s total square footage
- Your climate zone
Again, knowing your climate zone is critical for heating your entire home consistently.
Also check: Do I Need A Special Thermostat For Gas Fireplace?
Here is a list of zones and their BTU/sqft values:
- Zones 1 and 2 (heat): 30-35 BTU/sqft
- Zone 3 (Temperature): 35-40 BTU/sq.ft.
- Zone 4 (warm climate): 45 BTU/sq.ft.
- Zone 5 (cool climate): 50 BTU/square foot
- Zone 6 (cold climates): 55 BTU/square foot
- Zone 7 (freezing temperatures): 60 BTU/sq.ft.
As the list shows, cold zones necessitate more BTUs per square foot. If you want an exact calculation, multiply your house’s area by the zone’s BTU.
Which is cheaper to heat your home, gas or electric?
Heating your home with gas is always less expensive than heating it with electricity. The main reason is that the cost of running an electric furnace is higher than the cost of gas. The price of gas is approximately $0.90 per spa. The Therm has a BTU rating of 100,000. As previously stated, a 1,000-square-foot house has about 45,000 BTUs, which is 0.45.
If you use a 45,000 BTU gas heater for 7 hours per day, the daily cost is:
- Daily gas heating cost = 0.45 Therm x 7 hours x 0.9 = 2.8 $
And the monthly cost of gas heating:
- The cost of gas heating per day multiplied by 30 equals $84
Why is electric heat so expensive?
The electricity bill per unit is what makes electric heat so expensive. Heating costs will rise in tandem with increasing electricity bills. Furthermore, electric furnaces take longer to heat than gas furnaces.
Facing a power outage?
How can I reduce my bills?
Should you switch to gas now that you know how expensive electric heating is? It’s possible, but if you prefer electric heating, here are seven ways to save money on your utility bills.
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Examine and repair air leaks
Check for air leaks in windows, walls, ceilings, light fixtures, doors, switches, and outlets. The candle trick can also be used to detect air leaks in windows.
Please light a candle and hold it up to the window. If the flame flickers, there is most likely an air leak. These air leaks are notorious for causing utility bills to skyrocket. Fill any holes you find with caulk. You can reduce heat loss and electricity bills by plugging in leaks.
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Set the thermostat
New smart thermostats have made life easier for owners of electric heaters. A minor modification can significantly reduce power consumption.
For example, set your thermostat to turn off the heat if you leave the house simultaneously every day.
A smart thermostat adjusts heating settings based on the weather outside, lowering overall power consumption.
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Turn on the (sun)light
Bring in natural light the old-fashioned way. Not only will your home be warmer, but you’ll also get more vitamin D, which is difficult to obtain in the winter.
4. Shut all unused room doors.
We are all aware of the importance of turning off lights in rooms that are not in use. But did you know that closing the door in your new space can help you save money on heating costs? Closing the door traps heat in the room, eliminating the need for an electric heater to dissipate it.
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Make use of a space heater
If you spend most of your time in one room, use a space heater instead of turning on your entire home’s heating system. This allows you to enjoy the warmth without worrying about your electric bill.
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Wear warm clothing.
This is a self-explanatory energy-saving solution that many people overlook. Instead of using hot electric furnaces, wear warm clothing. Even if you don’t use the heater when it’s not too cold or too hot, your electricity bill will be lower.
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Change the Filter
Who doesn’t despise having to replace the heater on an electric furnace? However, accomplishing that is a brilliant idea. You could save money on your electric bill by changing the filter on your electric heater. However, don’t forget to read the manual guide while performing the activity.
Also check: Can A Generator Run An Electric Furnace?
How efficient Are Older Furnaces?
The amount of heat provided by a furnace is indicated by its efficiency. Appropriate high-quality furnaces now have a 95 percent efficiency rating.
In other words, only 5% of the range’s warmth is squandered. However, old furnaces and those manufactured 20-25 years ago have only a 60% performance rating.
Final Thoughts
The cost of running an electric furnace to keep us relaxed can quickly add up if we’re not careful.
We hope you understand what the bill at the end of the month might look like if you run it for extended periods.
