# Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Highline Electric Assn rates (NE)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Highline Electric Assn electricity rates in Nebraska that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A heat pump saves about $170 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $2,600 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: $170 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $2,600 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/ne/highline-electric-assn/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/ne/highline-electric-assn.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 | $11,390 | $8,910–$13,860 | – | $870 | $24,400 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $11,390 | $7,920–$14,850 | – | $700 | $21,800 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $14,850 | $10,890–$19,800 | – | $530 | $22,800 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Highline Electric Assn's average residential price in NE (EIA), $0.141/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.083/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer. Typical-bill price 14.1¢/kWh, +11% vs. the Nebraska average of 12.8¢/kWh.
- Weather: Imperial HCN, 6,306 heating and 894 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $1.10/therm (Nebraska winter average, EIA); propane $1.78/gallon; heating oil $5.56/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's Nebraska area heat with gas 56%, electricity 27%, propane 13%, other 4% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and Nebraska HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: not yet checked in Nebraska, so not included.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Highline Electric Assn customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft gas-heated home on Highline Electric Assn electricity rates in Nebraska that needs a new furnace and AC: It depends on your quotes. A heat pump saves about $170 a year to run, so it comes out ahead over 15 years if its quote is no more than $2,600 above the quote for a new furnace and AC.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Highline Electric Assn's rates?**
About $700 a year for heating and cooling with the Heat pump (replaces both) option, against $870 for New gas furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Highline Electric Assn's average residential price in NE (EIA), $0.141/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 Nebraska utilities

- [Butler Public Power District](https://meterwise.app/ne/butler-public-power-district/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Cedar-Knox Public Power Dist](https://meterwise.app/ne/cedar-knox-public-power-dist/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Cornhusker Public Power Dist](https://meterwise.app/ne/cornhusker-public-power-dist/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Custer Public Power District](https://meterwise.app/ne/custer-public-power-district/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Dawson Power District](https://meterwise.app/ne/dawson-power-district/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Elkhorn Rural Public Pwr Dist](https://meterwise.app/ne/elkhorn-rural-public-pwr-dist/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Lincoln Electric System](https://meterwise.app/ne/lincoln-electric-system/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Loup River Public Power Dist](https://meterwise.app/ne/loup-river-public-power-dist/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Midwest Electric Member Corp](https://meterwise.app/ne/midwest-electric-member-corp/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Nebraska Public Power District](https://meterwise.app/ne/nebraska-public-power-district/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Norris Public Power District](https://meterwise.app/ne/norris-public-power-district/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Northeast Power](https://meterwise.app/ne/northeast-power/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All Nebraska utilities](https://meterwise.app/ne/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. gas furnace and AC on Highline Electric Assn rates (NE)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/ne/highline-electric-assn/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.