Cost to heat a house in Philadelphia, PA
In Philadelphia, a cold-climate heat pump (about $842/year) and natural gas (about $844/year) cost roughly the same to run for a typical 2,000 sq ft home. The decision comes down to installation cost, rebates, cooling needs and emissions.
Annual heating cost, 2,000 sq ft home (USD)
Average insulation, high-efficiency furnaces, cold-climate heat pump with a seasonal efficiency (COP) of 2.9 in Philadelphia's climate. Space heating only.
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1 GJ ≈ 26.4 m³ of natural gas ≈ 9.48 therms. US gas bills in therms: $/therm × 9.48 = $/GJ.
Heating cost by home size in Philadelphia
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $421 | $512 | $882 | $1,166 | $1,206 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $631 | $678 | $1,322 | $1,748 | $1,809 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $842 | $844 | $1,763 | $2,331 | $2,412 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $1,052 | $1,010 | $2,204 | $2,914 | $3,015 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $1,263 | $1,176 | $2,645 | $3,497 | $3,617 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Philadelphia needs about 10.3 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0.5°C | $192 | $155 | $372 | $492 | $509 |
| Feb | 2.0°C | $156 | $132 | $310 | $410 | $424 |
| Mar | 6.4°C | $115 | $108 | $247 | $327 | $338 |
| Apr | 12.2°C | $55 | $63 | $128 | $169 | $175 |
| May | 17.7°C | $20 | $34 | $50 | $66 | $68 |
| Jun | 22.9°C | $5 | $19 | $12 | $15 | $16 |
| Jul | 25.6°C | $2 | $17 | $4 | $6 | $6 |
| Aug | 24.7°C | $2 | $17 | $6 | $8 | $9 |
| Sep | 20.6°C | $9 | $24 | $23 | $31 | $32 |
| Oct | 14.2°C | $41 | $52 | $98 | $129 | $134 |
| Nov | 8.7°C | $87 | $88 | $193 | $256 | $265 |
| Dec | 3.0°C | $157 | $135 | $319 | $422 | $436 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 17.77¢/kWh USD — U.S. EIA 2024 average residential electricity and natural gas prices by state (via AGA summary, Mar 2026)
- Natural gas: $12.91/GJ (≈ $1.36/therm) plus ~$15/month fixed charge — U.S. EIA 2024 average residential electricity and natural gas prices by state (via AGA summary, Mar 2026)
- Heating oil: $5.93/gal — EIA weekly residential price, Pennsylvania, week of Nov 2, 2026, excl. taxes (price history)
- Propane: $3.31/gal — EIA weekly residential price, Pennsylvania, week of Nov 2, 2026, excl. taxes (price history)
Change any price in the calculator above to match your bill. Prices exclude sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to heat a house in Philadelphia?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $842 to $2,412 USD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the heat pump ($842/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, a cold-climate heat pump (about $842/year) and natural gas (about $844/year) cost roughly the same to run for a typical 2,000 sq ft home. The decision comes down to installation cost, rebates, cooling needs and emissions.
How much does heating cost per month in Philadelphia in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $192 with a heat pump, $155 with natural gas and $492 with heating oil (USD).
How cold does it get in Philadelphia?
The average January temperature in Philadelphia is 0.5°C (33°F). The city has about 2,570 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).