# Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Northern Plains Electric Coop rates (ND)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Northern Plains Electric Coop electricity rates in North Dakota that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump saves about $110 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $1,600 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: $110 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $1,600 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/nd/northern-plains-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/nd/northern-plains-electric-coop.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 | $12,770 | $9,990–$15,540 | – | $900 | $26,200 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $12,770 | $8,880–$16,650 | – | $1,240 | $31,400 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $16,650 | $12,210–$22,200 | – | $790 | $28,500 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Northern Plains Electric Coop's average residential price in ND (EIA), $0.106/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.083/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer. Typical-bill price 10.7¢/kWh, -15% vs. the North Dakota average of 12.6¢/kWh.
- Weather: Mc Henry 3w, 9,330 heating and 417 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $0.85/therm (North Dakota winter average, EIA); propane $1.70/gallon; heating oil $5.97/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's North Dakota area heat with electricity 39%, gas 27%, propane 26%, other 5%, heating oil 4% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and North Dakota HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: not yet checked in North Dakota, so not included.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Northern Plains Electric Coop customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Northern Plains Electric Coop electricity rates in North Dakota that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump saves about $110 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $1,600 above the quote for a new furnace and AC.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Northern Plains Electric Coop's rates?**
About $790 a year for heating and cooling with the High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump option, against $900 for New gas furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Northern Plains Electric Coop's average residential price in ND (EIA), $0.106/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.083/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 North Dakota utilities

- [Burke-Divide Electric Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/burke-divide-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Capital Electric Coop, Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/capital-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Dakota Valley Elec Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/dakota-valley-elec-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [McKenzie Electric Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/mckenzie-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [McLean Electric Coop, Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/mclean-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Montana-Dakota Utilities Co](https://meterwise.app/nd/montana-dakota-utilities-co/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Nodak Electric Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/nodak-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [North Central Elec Coop, Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/north-central-elec-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Xcel Energy (Northern States Power Minnesota)](https://meterwise.app/nd/xcel-energy-northern-states-power-minnesota/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Otter Tail Power](https://meterwise.app/nd/otter-tail-power/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Verendrye Electric Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/nd/verendrye-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Mountrail-Williams Elec Coop](https://meterwise.app/nd/mountrail-williams-elec-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All North Dakota utilities](https://meterwise.app/nd/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Northern Plains Electric Coop rates (ND)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/nd/northern-plains-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.