{
 "utility": "BENCO Electric Cooperative",
 "utility_legal_name": "BENCO Electric Cooperative",
 "eia_id": 1884,
 "state": "MN",
 "state_name": "Minnesota",
 "url": "https://meterwise.app/mn/benco-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/",
 "markdown_url": "https://meterwise.app/mn/benco-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md",
 "json_url": "https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/mn/benco-electric-cooperative.json",
 "json_path": "data/v1/utilities/mn/benco-electric-cooperative.json",
 "updated": "2026-11-10",
 "zip_codes_served": 38,
 "quick_answer": "As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on BENCO Electric Cooperative electricity rates in Minnesota that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump saves about $90 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $1,300 above the quote for a new furnace and AC.",
 "verdict": "depends on quotes",
 "verdict_code": "depends",
 "assumptions": {
  "floor_area_sqft": 1800,
  "insulation": "average",
  "scenario": "furnace and AC both need replacing",
  "heating_fuel": "gas",
  "lifetime_years": 15
 },
 "electricity": {
  "price_per_kwh_typical_bill": 0.1503,
  "winter_extra_kwh_price": 0.1284,
  "state_average_per_kwh": 0.1629,
  "vs_state_average_pct": -8,
  "source": "utility average price (EIA)",
  "tariff": null,
  "tariff_effective": null,
  "note": "Electricity: BENCO Electric Cooperative's average residential price in MN (EIA), $0.150/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.128/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer."
 },
 "climate": {
  "station": "Wells",
  "heating_degree_days": 7753,
  "cooling_degree_days": 668,
  "normals": "NOAA 1991-2020"
 },
 "heating_fuel": {
  "default": "gas",
  "price_per_therm_gas": 1.039,
  "local_mix": {
   "electric": 0.159,
   "gas": 0.614,
   "oil": 0.013,
   "other": 0.032,
   "propane": 0.181
  }
 },
 "heat_pump": {
  "option": "High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump",
  "annual_saving_vs_like_for_like": 86,
  "break_even_quote_gap": 1297
 },
 "options": [
  {
   "id": "like",
   "option": "New gas furnace + new AC",
   "installed_typical": 12949,
   "installed_low": 10134,
   "installed_high": 15764,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 995,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 1602,
   "fuel_per_year": "740 therms",
   "total_15_years": 27868
  },
  {
   "id": "hp",
   "option": "Heat pump (replaces both)",
   "installed_typical": 12949,
   "installed_low": 9008,
   "installed_high": 16890,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 1400,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 10588,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 33952
  },
  {
   "id": "hp_cold",
   "option": "High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump",
   "installed_typical": 16890,
   "installed_low": 12386,
   "installed_high": 22520,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 908,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 6819,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 30512
  }
 ],
 "rebates_checked": false,
 "rebate_programs": [],
 "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
 "citation": "MeterWise, \"Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on BENCO Electric Cooperative rates (MN)\", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/mn/benco-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/"
}