# Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Eversource (NSTAR Electric) rates (MA)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Eversource (NSTAR Electric) electricity rates in Massachusetts that needs a new furnace and AC: A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $11,900 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $530 a year less to run.

- Verdict: **heat pump ahead at any quote**
- Heat pump yearly running cost vs. a new gas furnace and AC: $530 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $15,900 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/ma/eversource-nstar-electric/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/ma/eversource-nstar-electric.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 | $13,030 | $10,200–$15,860 | – | $1,760 | $39,400 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $13,030 | $9,060–$17,000 | – | $1,580 | $36,700 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $9,050 | $4,510–$14,710 | $7,950 | $1,230 | $27,400 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Greater Boston Residential R-1 (A1) tariff for Eversource (NSTAR Electric), effective 2026-02-01, from the U.S. Utility Rate Database, applied tier by tier to the extra kWh. Typical-bill price 26.0¢/kWh, -14% vs. the Massachusetts average of 30.3¢/kWh.
- Weather: Jamaica Plain, 5,811 heating and 827 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $2.46/therm (Massachusetts winter average, EIA); propane $3.64/gallon; heating oil $6.19/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's Massachusetts area heat with gas 57%, heating oil 19%, electricity 18%, propane 4%, other 2% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and Massachusetts HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: [Mass Save air-source heat pump rebate](https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-and-incentives/heating-and-cooling/heat-pumps/air-source-heat-pumps) (valid to 2026-12-31).

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Eversource (NSTAR Electric) customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Eversource (NSTAR Electric) electricity rates in Massachusetts that needs a new furnace and AC: A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $11,900 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $530 a year less to run.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Eversource (NSTAR Electric)'s rates?**
About $1,230 a year for heating and cooling with the High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump option, against $1,760 for New gas furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Greater Boston Residential R-1 (A1) tariff for Eversource (NSTAR Electric), effective 2026-02-01, 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 Massachusetts utilities

- [City of Chicopee](https://meterwise.app/ma/city-of-chicopee/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Unitil (Fitchburg Gas & Electric)](https://meterwise.app/ma/unitil-fitchburg-gas-and-electric/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [City of Holyoke](https://meterwise.app/ma/city-of-holyoke/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Town of Hudson](https://meterwise.app/ma/town-of-hudson/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)](https://meterwise.app/ma/national-grid-massachusetts-electric/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Town of Middleborough](https://meterwise.app/ma/town-of-middleborough/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Town of Reading](https://meterwise.app/ma/town-of-reading/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [City of Taunton](https://meterwise.app/ma/city-of-taunton/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All Massachusetts utilities](https://meterwise.app/ma/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Eversource (NSTAR Electric) rates (MA)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/ma/eversource-nstar-electric/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.