{
 "utility": "East Central Energy",
 "utility_legal_name": "East Central Energy",
 "eia_id": 5574,
 "state": "MN",
 "state_name": "Minnesota",
 "url": "https://meterwise.app/mn/east-central-energy/heat-pump-vs-furnace/",
 "markdown_url": "https://meterwise.app/mn/east-central-energy/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md",
 "json_url": "https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/mn/east-central-energy.json",
 "json_path": "data/v1/utilities/mn/east-central-energy.json",
 "updated": "2026-11-10",
 "zip_codes_served": 50,
 "quick_answer": "As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on East Central Energy electricity rates in Minnesota that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump costs about $30 a year more to run, so it only comes out ahead if its quote is at least $500 below 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": 0.1689,
  "winter_extra_kwh_price": 0.1332,
  "state_average_per_kwh": 0.1629,
  "vs_state_average_pct": 4,
  "source": "utility average price (EIA)",
  "tariff": null,
  "tariff_effective": null,
  "note": "Electricity: East Central Energy's average residential price in MN (EIA), $0.169/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.133/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer."
 },
 "climate": {
  "station": "Milaca",
  "heating_degree_days": 8808,
  "cooling_degree_days": 378,
  "normals": "NOAA 1991-2020"
 },
 "heating_fuel": {
  "default": "gas",
  "price_per_therm_gas": 1.039,
  "local_mix": {
   "electric": 0.171,
   "gas": 0.52,
   "oil": 0.014,
   "other": 0.068,
   "propane": 0.227
  }
 },
 "heat_pump": {
  "option": "High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump",
  "annual_saving_vs_like_for_like": -30,
  "break_even_quote_gap": -453
 },
 "options": [
  {
   "id": "like",
   "option": "New gas furnace + new AC",
   "installed_typical": 12949,
   "installed_low": 10134,
   "installed_high": 15764,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 1084,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 1408,
   "fuel_per_year": "841 therms",
   "total_15_years": 29210
  },
  {
   "id": "hp",
   "option": "Heat pump (replaces both)",
   "installed_typical": 12949,
   "installed_low": 9008,
   "installed_high": 16890,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 1742,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 12545,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 39085
  },
  {
   "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": 1114,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 7929,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 33604
  }
 ],
 "rebates_checked": false,
 "rebate_programs": [],
 "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
 "citation": "MeterWise, \"Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on East Central Energy rates (MN)\", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/mn/east-central-energy/heat-pump-vs-furnace/"
}