Washington, D.C. — The American Gas Association (AGA) today announced the 2011 residential space heating and water heating costs that show natural gas will cost less to use in the coming year than other major home energy sources. The calculated operating cost comparisons between natural gas and other fuels are based on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy forecast, published in the March 10, 2011 Federal Register.
“Customers who will see the steepest savings in 2011 use natural gas throughout their homes, which will result in across-the-board low operating costs,” said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of AGA. “The cost-savings that natural gas customers will see in their utility bills are significant, especially during these difficult economic times.”
The better the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of the equipment the more savings customers can realize. For example, a 95 percent AFUE natural gas furnace provides the lowest-cost space heating option for homeowners, followed by an 80 percent AFUE natural gas furnace. Both offer significant annual operating cost savings over comparable space heating options.
In addition to these advanced space heating options, a new 40-gallon natural gas water heater provides savings of approximately 50 percent more than comparable options.
See below for a table listing home-heating and water-heating cost comparisons.
SPACE HEATING ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The space heating analysis is based on a 2,072 square foot house located in St. Louis and represents a 5,000 Heating Degree Day location. The house meets the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code and the space heating equipment is selected from the AHRI online directory. The 95% AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) natural gas furnace provides the lowest operating cost space heating option.
2011 ANNUAL SPACE HEATING COST SUMMARY
Heating Equipment Type |
5000 Heating Degree Days |
|
80% AFUE Gas Furnace |
$866 |
|
95% AFUE Gas Furnace |
$687 |
|
80% AFUE Propane Furnace |
$2,072 |
|
95% AFUE Propane Furnace |
$1,696 |
|
80% AFUE Oil Furnace |
$1,827 |
|
85% AFUE Oil Furnace |
$1,746 |
|
8.0 HSPF Electric Heat Pump |
$1,124 |
|
Electric Resistance Furnace |
$2,095 |
WATER HEATER ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The water heater analysis is based on providing the equivalent First Hour Rating (FHR) based on national average energy usage and the 2011 energy costs as defined by DOE. A natural gas fired 40-gallon and an electric 50-gallon, both conventional storage type, are chosen on this basis. The natural gas water heater would provide the lowest operating cost water heating option.
2011 ANNUAL WATER HEATING COST SUMMARY
Water Heater Type |
Annual Cost |
|
40 Gallon Natural Gas (FHR = 74 gallons) |
$268 |
|
50 Gallon Electric (FHR = 67 gallons) |
$541 |
COMBINATION SPACE HEATING AND WATER HEATER INSTALLATION: Based on the annual cost analysis for space heating and water heaters, the combination of a natural gas 95% AFUE furnace and water heater provides the lowest operating cost space/water heating package.
2011 SPACE HEATING AND WATER HEATER INSTALLATION
Space Heating/Water Heating Type |
Annual Cost |
|
Natural Gas: 95% AFUE Furnace & Water Heater |
$955 |
|
Natural Gas 80% AFUE Furnace & Water Heater |
$1,134 |
|
Electric: Heat Pump & Water Heater |
$1,665 |