# Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Avista Corp rates (ID)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Avista Corp electricity rates in Idaho that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A heat pump costs about $340 a year more to run, so it only comes out ahead if its quote is at least $5,100 below the quote for a new furnace and AC.

- Verdict: **depends on quotes**
- Heat pump yearly running cost vs. a new gas furnace and AC: $340 more
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is at least $5,100 below the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/id/avista-corp/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/id/avista-corp.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 | $11,050 | $8,650–$13,450 | – | $590 | $19,900 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $11,050 | $7,690–$14,420 | – | $930 | $25,000 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $14,420 | $10,570–$19,220 | – | $720 | $25,300 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: 1 Residential Service tariff for Avista Corp, effective 2026-01-01, from the U.S. Utility Rate Database, applied tier by tier to the extra kWh. Typical-bill price 14.0¢/kWh, +10% vs. the Idaho average of 12.8¢/kWh.
- Weather: Coeur D'Alene HCN, 6,317 heating and 436 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $0.69/therm (Idaho winter average, EIA); propane $2.66/gallon; heating oil $6.15/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's Idaho area heat with gas 41%, electricity 39%, other 14%, propane 5%, heating oil 2% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and Idaho HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: not yet checked in Idaho, so not included.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Avista Corp customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Avista Corp electricity rates in Idaho that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A heat pump costs about $340 a year more to run, so it only comes out ahead if its quote is at least $5,100 below the quote for a new furnace and AC.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Avista Corp's rates?**
About $930 a year for heating and cooling with the Heat pump (replaces both) option, against $590 for New gas furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: 1 Residential Service tariff for Avista Corp, effective 2026-01-01, from the U.S. Utility Rate Database, applied tier by tier to the extra kWh.

## 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 Idaho utilities

- [Fall River Rural Elec Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/id/fall-river-rural-elec-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Idaho Power](https://meterwise.app/id/idaho-power/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Kootenai Electric Cooperative](https://meterwise.app/id/kootenai-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Lower Valley Energy Inc](https://meterwise.app/id/lower-valley-energy-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Northern Lights, Inc](https://meterwise.app/id/northern-lights-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp)](https://meterwise.app/id/rocky-mountain-power-pacificorp/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Salmon River Electric Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/id/salmon-river-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All Idaho utilities](https://meterwise.app/id/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Avista Corp rates (ID)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/id/avista-corp/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.