# Heat pump vs. oil furnace and AC on Unitil Energy Systems rates (NH)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft heating oil-heated home on Unitil Energy Systems electricity rates in New Hampshire that needs a new furnace and AC: A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $33,300 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $2,330 a year less to run.

- Verdict: **heat pump ahead at any quote**
- Heat pump yearly running cost vs. a new oil furnace and AC: $2,330 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $34,900 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/nh/unitil-energy-systems/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/nh/unitil-energy-systems.json

## Typical home: costs by option

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

| Option | Installed (typical) | Installed range | Rebates | Energy per year | 15-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New oil furnace + new AC | $14,920 | $10,170–$18,340 | – | $3,550 | $68,100 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $12,710 | $8,840–$16,580 | – | $1,690 | $38,100 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $16,580 | $12,160–$22,100 | – | $1,220 | $34,800 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Unitil Energy Systems's average residential price in NH (EIA), $0.233/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.205/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer. Typical-bill price 23.3¢/kWh, -14% vs. the New Hampshire average of 27.0¢/kWh.
- Weather: Concord Asos, 6,980 heating and 528 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $1.86/therm (New Hampshire winter average, EIA); propane $3.86/gallon; heating oil $6.03/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's New Hampshire area heat with heating oil 40%, gas 24%, propane 18%, electricity 11%, other 7% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and New Hampshire HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: not yet checked in New Hampshire, so not included.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Unitil Energy Systems customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft heating oil-heated home on Unitil Energy Systems electricity rates in New Hampshire that needs a new furnace and AC: A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $33,300 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $2,330 a year less to run.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Unitil Energy Systems's rates?**
About $1,220 a year for heating and cooling with the High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump option, against $3,550 for New oil furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Unitil Energy Systems's average residential price in NH (EIA), $0.233/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.205/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 New Hampshire utilities

- [New Hampshire Elec Coop Inc](https://meterwise.app/nh/new-hampshire-elec-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Eversource (Public Service of New Hampshire)](https://meterwise.app/nh/eversource-public-service-of-new-hampshire/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All New Hampshire utilities](https://meterwise.app/nh/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. oil furnace and AC on Unitil Energy Systems rates (NH)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/nh/unitil-energy-systems/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.