# Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Delaware Electric Cooperative rates (DE)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Delaware Electric Cooperative electricity rates in Delaware that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A heat pump saves about $280 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $4,300 above the quote for a new furnace and AC.

- Verdict: **depends on quotes**
- Heat pump yearly running cost vs. a new gas furnace and AC: $290 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $4,300 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/de/delaware-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/de/delaware-electric-cooperative.json

## Typical home: costs by option

1,800 sq ft, average insulation, heating with gas, furnace and AC both need replacing.

| Option | Installed (typical) | Installed range | Rebates | Energy per year | 15-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New gas furnace + new AC | $11,630 | $9,100–$14,150 | – | $930 | $25,500 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $11,630 | $8,090–$15,170 | – | $640 | $21,200 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $15,170 | $11,120–$20,220 | – | $510 | $22,800 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Delaware Electric Cooperative's average residential price in DE (EIA), $0.142/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.126/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer. Typical-bill price 14.2¢/kWh, -22% vs. the Delaware average of 18.1¢/kWh.
- Weather: Dover HCN, 4,195 heating and 1,334 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $1.65/therm (Delaware winter average, EIA); propane $3.79/gallon; heating oil $6.36/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's Delaware area heat with electricity 44%, gas 28%, propane 17%, heating oil 9%, other 3% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and Delaware HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: not yet checked in Delaware, so not included.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Delaware Electric Cooperative customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Delaware Electric Cooperative electricity rates in Delaware that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A heat pump saves about $280 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $4,300 above the quote for a new furnace and AC.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Delaware Electric Cooperative's rates?**
About $640 a year for heating and cooling with the Heat pump (replaces both) option, against $930 for New gas furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Delaware Electric Cooperative's average residential price in DE (EIA), $0.142/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.126/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer.

## Method

Heating and cooling need from local weather, floor area and insulation; each option's efficiency (heat pumps lose
efficiency in the cold and use backup heat in cold months) turns that into kWh and fuel; electricity is priced
through the utility's tariff; installed costs come from published ranges. Full method: https://meterwise.app/about/index.md

Estimates for a typical home, not a quote or financial advice.

## Other Delaware utilities

- [Delmarva Power](https://meterwise.app/de/delmarva-power/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All Delaware utilities](https://meterwise.app/de/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Delaware Electric Cooperative rates (DE)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/de/delaware-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.