Cost to heat a house in Washington, DC
In Washington, a cold-climate heat pump costs about $712 a year to heat a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $877 with natural gas. That saves about $165/year. At an installed cost of about $13,000 USD, the simple payback is roughly over 30 years. It is shorter with rebates, or if you need to replace an old furnace or air conditioner anyway.
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 Washington'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 Washington
| Home size | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $356 | $514 | $857 | $1,059 | $1,043 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $534 | $703 | $1,285 | $1,589 | $1,564 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $712 | $877 | $1,714 | $2,118 | $2,086 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $890 | $1,052 | $2,142 | $2,648 | $2,607 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $1,068 | $1,226 | $2,570 | $3,177 | $3,128 |
Month-by-month heating cost
Most of the bill lands in the coldest months. In January, a 2,000 sq ft home in Washington needs about 9.3 GJ of heat.
| Month | Avg temp | Heat pump | Natural gas furnace | Propane furnace | Heating oil furnace | Electric baseboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.3°C | $166 | $167 | $374 | $462 | $455 |
| Feb | 3.9°C | $132 | $140 | $306 | $379 | $373 |
| Mar | 8.3°C | $94 | $110 | $233 | $288 | $284 |
| Apr | 13.8°C | $43 | $61 | $113 | $140 | $137 |
| May | 18.9°C | $15 | $32 | $42 | $52 | $51 |
| Jun | 24.1°C | $3 | $18 | $9 | $11 | $10 |
| Jul | 26.6°C | $1 | $16 | $3 | $4 | $4 |
| Aug | 25.7°C | $2 | $17 | $5 | $6 | $6 |
| Sep | 21.7°C | $7 | $23 | $19 | $23 | $23 |
| Oct | 15.3°C | $34 | $52 | $90 | $112 | $110 |
| Nov | 9.8°C | $76 | $93 | $193 | $238 | $235 |
| Dec | 4.3°C | $140 | $148 | $327 | $404 | $397 |
Energy prices used
- Electricity: 17.71¢/kWh USD — U.S. EIA 2024 average residential electricity and natural gas prices by state (via AGA summary, Mar 2026)
- Natural gas: $15.63/GJ (≈ $1.65/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: $6.21/gal — EIA weekly residential price, Central Atlantic average, week of Nov 2, 2026, excl. taxes (price history)
- Propane: $3.71/gal — EIA weekly residential price, Central Atlantic average, 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 Washington?
For a typical 2,000 sq ft home with average insulation, expect roughly $712 to $2,118 USD per year depending on the system. The cheapest option at current prices is the heat pump ($712/year).
Is a heat pump worth it in Washington?
In Washington, a cold-climate heat pump costs about $712 a year to heat a typical 2,000 sq ft home, versus $877 with natural gas. That saves about $165/year. At an installed cost of about $13,000 USD, the simple payback is roughly over 30 years. It is shorter with rebates, or if you need to replace an old furnace or air conditioner anyway.
How much does heating cost per month in Washington in winter?
In January, heating a 2,000 sq ft home costs about $166 with a heat pump, $167 with natural gas and $462 with heating oil (USD).
How cold does it get in Washington?
The average January temperature in Washington is 2.3°C (36°F). The city has about 2,230 heating degree-days a year (base 18°C).