# Heat pump vs. propane furnace and AC on Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co rates (WI)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft propane-heated home on Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co electricity rates in Wisconsin that needs a new furnace and AC: A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $10,200 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $920 a year less to run.

- Verdict: **heat pump ahead at any quote**
- Heat pump yearly running cost vs. a new propane furnace and AC: $920 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $13,800 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/wi/northwestern-wisconsin-elec-co/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/wi/northwestern-wisconsin-elec-co.json

## Typical home: costs by option

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

| Option | Installed (typical) | Installed range | Rebates | Energy per year | 15-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New propane furnace + new AC | $11,570 | $9,050–$14,080 | – | $1,850 | $39,300 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $11,570 | $8,050–$15,090 | – | $1,450 | $33,300 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $15,090 | $11,070–$20,120 | – | $930 | $29,100 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co's average residential price in WI (EIA), $0.138/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.130/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer. Typical-bill price 13.8¢/kWh, -26% vs. the Wisconsin average of 18.8¢/kWh.
- Weather: Luck, 8,078 heating and 500 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $1.10/therm (Wisconsin winter average, EIA); propane $1.96/gallon; heating oil $5.85/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's Wisconsin area heat with propane 46%, gas 29%, other 12%, electricity 11%, heating oil 2% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and Wisconsin HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: not yet checked in Wisconsin, so not included.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft propane-heated home on Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co electricity rates in Wisconsin that needs a new furnace and AC: A high-efficiency cold-climate heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $10,200 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $920 a year less to run.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co's rates?**
About $930 a year for heating and cooling with the High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump option, against $1,850 for New propane furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co's average residential price in WI (EIA), $0.138/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.130/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 Wisconsin utilities

- [Adams-Columbia Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/wi/adams-columbia-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Barron Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/wi/barron-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Dahlberg Light & Power Co](https://meterwise.app/wi/dahlberg-light-and-power-co/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Madison Gas & Electric Co](https://meterwise.app/wi/madison-gas-and-electric-co/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [North Central Power Co Inc](https://meterwise.app/wi/north-central-power-co-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Xcel Energy (Northern States Power Wisconsin)](https://meterwise.app/wi/xcel-energy-northern-states-power-wisconsin/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Oakdale Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/wi/oakdale-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Polk-Burnett Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/wi/polk-burnett-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Riverland Energy Cooperative](https://meterwise.app/wi/riverland-energy-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Rock Energy Cooperative](https://meterwise.app/wi/rock-energy-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Scenic Rivers Energy Coop](https://meterwise.app/wi/scenic-rivers-energy-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [We Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power)](https://meterwise.app/wi/we-energies-wisconsin-electric-power/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All Wisconsin utilities](https://meterwise.app/wi/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. propane furnace and AC on Northwestern Wisconsin Elec Co rates (WI)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/wi/northwestern-wisconsin-elec-co/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.