As the mercury drops, the question of heating costs becomes more pertinent. One of the most common queries homeowners have is, How much does it cost to heat a 2000 sq ft house with natural gas? This article aims to provide a comprehensive answer to this question, considering various factors such as the efficiency of your heating system, the local climate, and the current price of natural gas.
The first factor to consider is the efficiency of your heating system. The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating measures how efficiently a gas furnace converts fuel into heat. A higher AFUE rating means greater efficiency. For instance, a furnace with an AFUE rating of 90% converts 90% of the fuel it burns into heat for your home. The remaining 10% escapes up the chimney or elsewhere.
Next, the local climate plays a significant role in heating costs. A house in a colder climate will require more heating, and thus more natural gas, than a house in a milder climate. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides a heat map that can help you estimate the number of heating degree days (HDD) in your area. HDD is a measure of how much (in degrees), and for how long (in days), outside air temperature was lower than a specific base temperature (usually 65 degrees Fahrenheit).
The current price of natural gas is another critical factor. According to the EIA, as of October 2021, the average residential price for natural gas in the United States was $10.60 per thousand cubic feet. However, this price can vary significantly from state to state and month to month.
To calculate the cost of heating a 2000 sq ft house with natural gas, you’ll need to know the number of British thermal units (BTUs) required to heat your home. On average, it takes about 20 BTUs to heat one square foot. Therefore, a 2000 sq ft house would require approximately 40,000 BTUs per hour.
Assuming an average furnace efficiency of 80%, the furnace would need to supply 50,000 BTUs per hour. Given that one cubic foot of natural gas produces about 1,030 BTUs, you would need approximately 48.5 cubic feet of natural gas per hour.
Over a 24-hour period, this would amount to 1,164 cubic feet. Using the average price of $10.60 per thousand cubic feet, it would cost approximately $12.34 per day to heat a 2000 sq ft house with natural gas. Over a 30-day month, the cost would be about $370.20.
However, this is a rough estimate. The actual cost could be higher or lower depending on factors such as the efficiency of your furnace, the insulation in your home, the local climate, and the current price of natural gas.
In conclusion, while natural gas is often a cost-effective heating option, the actual cost to heat a 2000 sq ft house can vary widely. It’s essential to consider all the factors and make an informed decision about your home heating needs.