Residential fuel comparisons

Typical annual costs of home appliances

Average cost comparison based on:

  • 93.94 cents per therm of natural gas (does not include a 33-cent-per-day customer charge)
  • $3.20 per gallon #2 fuel oil
  • $1.91 per gallon of LP
  • 15.92 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity

Source: Wisconsin State Energy Office/State Heating Oil and Propane Program

■ Natural gas (without pilot) ■ Fuel oil ■ LP (without pilot) ■ Electric

Home heating

home heating chart based on 580 heating therms: natural gas without pilot $545; fuel oil $1,325; LP without pilot $1,209; electric $2,705

Based on 580 therms

Water heater

water heater chart based on 140 heating therms: natural gas without pilot $132; fuel oil $320; LP without pilot $292; electric $653

Based on 140 therms

Range

range chart based on 40 heating therms: natural gas without pilot $38; fuel oil $91, LP without pilot $83; electric $187

Based on 40 therms

Clothes dryer

clothes dryer chart based on 40 heating therms: natural gas without pilot $38; fuel oil $91, LP without pilot $83; electric $187

Based on 40 therms

Depending on your current fuel source, you may have service and storage fees for other fuels or fuel providers.

Fuel type Annual fuel costs Average life Lifetime fuel costs Lifetime fuel cost difference
Natural Gas $545 x 20 years = $10,897 n/a
#2 Oil $1,325 x 20 years = $26,492 $15,595
LP $1,209 x 20 years = $24,187 $13,290
Electricity $2,705 x 20 years = $54,094 $43,197