Gas vs Electric Heating Cost in West Virginia
In West Virginia, a 2,000 sq ft house with average insulation costs an estimated $1,165.77 a year to heat with a 92% gas furnace, $3,729.48 with electric resistance heat and $1,491.79 with a heat pump. At these prices gas is the cheapest of the three, $326.02 a year under a heat pump.
State data
What West Virginia pays
- Electricity
- 15.8¢/kWhEIA Electric Power Monthly, table 5.6.A · EIA, July 2026 (data as of 2026-09-28)
- Natural gas
- $1.33/thermEIA, residential natural gas price ($/Mcf ÷ 10.37) · EIA 2025 annual average (data as of 2026-09-28)
- Heating degree-days
- 4,800 °F-days (base 65 °F)NOAA CPC, 1991–2020 normals
- Climate zone
- 5 (IECC 2021)DOE/PNNL · heat pump seasonal COP used: 2.5
At 15.8¢/kWh, West Virginia has the 31st-highest electricity rate among the 50 states and DC. Residential gas in West Virginia is $1.33/therm, 10% below the US average of $1.48/therm. A winter of 4,800 heating degree-days means the 2,000 sq ft example in West Virginia needs about 80.6 MMBtu of heat a year.
Prices are statewide averages. Type the rate and gas price from your own bill into the calculator above to replace them.
Gas vs electric heat
B04Scenario A
Sets the electricity rate. Pick US average if you're not sure.
From EIA for West Virginia. Use the rate on your bill if you know it.
Rate used: 15.8¢/kWh · West Virginia · EIA, July 2026 · gas $1.33/therm (EIA 2025 annual) · 4,800 heating degree-days · climate zone 5 (data as of 2026-09-28) ·
On the furnace label: 0.80 older, 0.90–0.98 condensing.
Gas furnace costs less per year by
Electric resistance: $3,729.48 a year · Gas furnace: $1,165.77 a year, for 80.6 MMBtu of heat.
- Yearly heating load
- 80.6 MMBtu
- Electric resistance, $ per MMBtu
- $46.25
- Gas furnace, $ per MMBtu
- $14.46
- Electric resistance, per year
- $3,729.48
- Gas furnace, per year
- $1,165.77
- Difference per year (Gas furnace − Electric resistance)
- −$2,563.71
- Seasonal heat pump COP used
- 2.5
- Prices used
- electricity 15.8¢/kWh · gas $1.33/therm · propane $3.00/gal · oil $3.60/gal
- Heat pump, per year (for reference)
- $1,491.79
Cost by month, in season only
The yearly cost spread across the months using a typical heating degree-day pattern from NOAA 1991–2020 normals. Months outside the season show $0.
Estimate. Formula and sources are under “How it works”. Change any input; the result updates as you type.
2026 note: The federal 25C and 25D tax credits ended for installations after Dec 31, 2025. Our numbers use 2026 rules. State rebates, HEAR/HOMES programs and utility programs may still apply.
Worked example
Worked example: 2,000 sq ft in West Virginia
A 2,000 sq ft house with average insulation in West Virginia needs about 80.6 MMBtu of heat a year (4,800 heating degree-days). At $1.33/therm in a 92% furnace, gas delivers that heat at $14.46 per MMBtu; resistance heat at 15.8¢/kWh costs $46.25, and a heat pump at seasonal COP 2.5 (zone 5) costs $18.50. The year comes to $1,165.77 on gas, $3,729.48 on resistance heat and $1,491.79 on a heat pump. Gas is the cheapest to run here, by $326.02 a year over a heat pump.
Load = sq ft × 0.35 × heating degree-days × 24 ÷ 1,000,000. Gas $/MMBtu = $/therm ÷ 0.1 ÷ 0.92. Resistance $/MMBtu = $/kWh × 293.07. Heat pump = resistance ÷ COP.
Questions
FAQ
Which is cheaper in West Virginia, gas or electric heat?
Electric resistance heat is the most expensive of the three in West Virginia: $3,729.48 a year for the 2,000 sq ft example, $2,563.71 more than gas. Between gas ($1,165.77) and a heat pump ($1,491.79), gas is cheaper here: $14.46 per MMBtu of heat against $18.50 for a heat pump at seasonal COP 2.5. These are estimates at 15.8¢/kWh and $1.33/therm; your bill's prices can change the answer.
How much gas does a furnace use in West Virginia?
About 877 therms a year for a 2,000 sq ft house with average insulation and a 92% furnace, at West Virginia's 4,800 heating degree-days. That averages 73 therms a month over 12 months, but almost all of it is burned in the heating months. At $1.33/therm, the year costs an estimated $1,165.77.
Electric furnace vs gas furnace cost in West Virginia?
An electric furnace is resistance heat: every kWh gives 3,412 BTU. At 15.8¢/kWh, that heat costs $46.25 per MMBtu in West Virginia, against $14.46 from a 92% gas furnace at $1.33/therm, 3.2 times as much. For the 2,000 sq ft example that's $3,729.48 a year against $1,165.77.
Bordering states
Nearby states
Same calculator, same house, each state's own prices and winter:
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