Debating whether to install a massive propane tank or rely on the local electrical grid? Use our free propane vs electric calculator to run the hard physics. Because propane is sold by the Gallon and electricity is sold by the Kilowatt-hour, comparing their prices directly is impossible. This tool levels the playing field by translating both fuel sources into raw heat (BTUs) to find the absolute cheapest way to heat your home.
Propane Variables
Electricity Variables
Cost to produce 100,000 BTUs of Heat
Propane Cost
$0.00
vs
Electric Cost
$0.00
Winner: Propane is X% Cheaper!
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How to Use This Heating Estimator
Comparing two completely different physical fuels requires standardizing the math. First, enter the current price of liquid propane in your area and select the efficiency rating of your furnace. If your propane furnace is 20 years old, a massive amount of heat is escaping through the exhaust pipe. Modern furnaces capture almost all of it.
Next, enter your local electricity rate and the type of electric heater you own. Standard electric baseboard heaters and space heaters simply run raw electricity through a metal coil. Heat pumps are much more complex. Click calculate, and the tool will determine exactly how much money it costs each system to generate 100,000 BTUs of heat inside your living room.
The 100,000 BTU Standard Explained
To declare a winner, physicists use a standard baseline called the Therm (100,000 BTUs). We know that exactly 1 gallon of liquid propane contains roughly 91,500 BTUs of potential energy. We also know that exactly 1 Kilowatt-hour of electricity contains 3,412 BTUs of energy.
Because we know the exact molecular heat density of both fuels, we can use algebra to calculate exactly how many gallons of propane, or how many Kilowatts of electricity, it takes to fill a house with 100,000 BTUs of heat.
Propane vs Electric Calculator Example
Let's look at a homeowner in the Midwest trying to decide between buying a propane tank or using electric baseboard heaters. Propane is currently $2.50 a gallon, and they own a modern 95% efficient furnace. Electricity is $0.16 per kWh, and their baseboard heaters are 100% efficient.
Using the calculator, the math is decisive. Generating 100,000 BTUs of heat using propane costs exactly $2.88. Generating that exact same amount of heat using the electric baseboard costs $4.69. The electrical grid is nearly 63% more expensive to use than a backyard propane tank.
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Tips for Winter Heating in 2026
The Heat Pump Miracle: Electric resistance heaters are terrible. However, modern electric Heat Pumps are a miracle of engineering. Instead of burning electricity to make heat, they use a tiny amount of electricity to steal heat from the outside air and pump it inside. This allows them to hit 300% efficiency, easily beating the cost of propane.
The Heat Pump Weakness: If you live in a climate where temperatures drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit, heat pumps literally freeze. There is no heat left in the outside air for them to steal. They will automatically switch to "Emergency Heating" (standard electrical resistance), instantly causing your electricity bill to quadruple. In freezing climates, propane is still king.
Lock in Propane Prices: Propane prices fluctuate wildly based on crude oil supply lines and winter weather. Call your propane supplier in the middle of summer and negotiate a "locked-in" winter rate when demand is at its absolute lowest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is propane cheaper than electricity for heating?
Historically, yes. When comparing the raw cost of 100,000 BTUs of heat, burning liquid propane is almost always significantly cheaper than forcing electricity through a resistive heating coil.
How many kWh equal a gallon of propane?
One gallon of propane contains roughly 91,500 BTUs of heat energy. It takes exactly 26.8 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to generate that exact same amount of heat.
Are electric heaters 100% efficient?
Yes, standard electric resistive heaters are technically 100% efficient because all electrical resistance is turned directly into heat. However, because electricity is so expensive, it still costs more to run than a 90% efficient propane furnace.
Should I switch from propane to an electric heat pump?
It depends on your climate. Modern electric heat pumps are up to 300% efficient because they move outside heat rather than creating it. However, if you live in an area with freezing winters, the heat pump will fail and fall back to expensive emergency resistive heating.
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Stop paying massive premiums for electrical heating. Scroll back up and find the absolute cheapest way to survive the winter.