{
 "utility": "Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative",
 "utility_legal_name": "Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative",
 "eia_id": 12260,
 "state": "NC",
 "state_name": "North Carolina",
 "url": "https://meterwise.app/nc/mecklenburg-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/",
 "markdown_url": "https://meterwise.app/nc/mecklenburg-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md",
 "json_url": "https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/nc/mecklenburg-electric-cooperative.json",
 "json_path": "data/v1/utilities/nc/mecklenburg-electric-cooperative.json",
 "updated": "2026-11-10",
 "zip_codes_served": 13,
 "quick_answer": "As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft electrically heated home on Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative electricity rates in North Carolina that needs a new furnace and AC: A heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $8,400 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $630 a year less to run.",
 "verdict": "heat pump ahead at any quote",
 "verdict_code": "always",
 "assumptions": {
  "floor_area_sqft": 1800,
  "insulation": "average",
  "scenario": "furnace and AC both need replacing",
  "heating_fuel": "electric",
  "lifetime_years": 15
 },
 "electricity": {
  "price_per_kwh_typical_bill": 0.144,
  "winter_extra_kwh_price": 0.0809,
  "state_average_per_kwh": 0.1489,
  "vs_state_average_pct": -3,
  "source": "utility average price (EIA)",
  "tariff": null,
  "tariff_effective": null,
  "note": "Electricity: Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative's average residential price in NC (EIA), $0.144/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.081/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer."
 },
 "climate": {
  "station": "Henderson 4 Nne",
  "heating_degree_days": 3430,
  "cooling_degree_days": 1527,
  "normals": "NOAA 1991-2020"
 },
 "heating_fuel": {
  "default": "electric",
  "price_per_therm_gas": 1.778,
  "local_mix": {
   "electric": 0.702,
   "gas": 0.058,
   "oil": 0.041,
   "other": 0.041,
   "propane": 0.158
  }
 },
 "heat_pump": {
  "option": "Heat pump (replaces both)",
  "annual_saving_vs_like_for_like": 628,
  "break_even_quote_gap": 9417
 },
 "options": [
  {
   "id": "like",
   "option": "New electric furnace + new AC",
   "installed_typical": 10175,
   "installed_low": 7364,
   "installed_high": 13178,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 1086,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 11170,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 26463
  },
  {
   "id": "hp",
   "option": "Heat pump (replaces both)",
   "installed_typical": 11144,
   "installed_low": 7752,
   "installed_high": 14535,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 458,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 4283,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 18014
  },
  {
   "id": "hp_cold",
   "option": "High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump",
   "installed_typical": 14535,
   "installed_low": 10659,
   "installed_high": 19380,
   "rebates": 0,
   "energy_cost_per_year": 356,
   "electricity_kwh_per_year": 3384,
   "fuel_per_year": null,
   "total_15_years": 19871
  }
 ],
 "rebates_checked": false,
 "rebate_programs": [],
 "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
 "citation": "MeterWise, \"Heat pump vs. electric furnace and AC on Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative rates (NC)\", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/nc/mecklenburg-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/"
}