How much does it cost to heat and cool a 2,000 sq ft home in District of Columbia?

In District of Columbia (24¢/kWh via Pepco DC), a 2,000 sq ft home averages $923/year ($77/month) with a high-efficiency heat pump, $788/year with a natural gas furnace and central AC, and $2,678/year with electric baseboards.

Are heat pumps cheaper to run than gas furnaces in District of Columbia?

At District of Columbia's natural gas rate of $1.65/therm, the economic break-even electricity price for a COP 3.1 heat pump is 19.0¢/kWh. Comparing this against District of Columbia's residential electricity rate of 24¢/kWh determines annual operating savings.

District of Columbia Heating & Cooling Cost Calculator (2026)

2,000 Sq Ft Heat Pump Bill

$77/mo

DC Electricity / Gas Rate

24¢ / $1.65

15-Yr Savings vs Baseboard

+$22,725

District of Columbia Annual Heating & Cooling Bills by Home Size

In District of Columbia, a 2,000 sq ft home averages $923/year ($77/mo) using a cold-climate heat pump ($781/yr winter heating + $142/yr summer cooling), compared to $788/year with a natural gas furnace and $2,678/year with electric baseboards.

Home Size	Heat Pump (COP 3.1)	Gas Furnace + AC	Baseboard + Window AC	15-Yr Heat Pump Savings
1,000 Sq Ft	$462/yr ($39/mo)	$394/yr ($33/mo)	$1,339/yr ($112/mo)	+$9,555
1,500 Sq Ft	$692/yr ($58/mo)	$591/yr ($49/mo)	$2,008/yr ($167/mo)	+$16,140
2,000 Sq Ft	$923/yr ($77/mo)	$788/yr ($66/mo)	$2,678/yr ($223/mo)	+$22,725
2,500 Sq Ft	$1,154/yr ($96/mo)	$985/yr ($82/mo)	$3,347/yr ($279/mo)	+$29,295
3,000 Sq Ft	$1,385/yr ($115/mo)	$1,182/yr ($99/mo)	$4,017/yr ($335/mo)	+$35,880
3,500 Sq Ft	$1,616/yr ($135/mo)	$1,379/yr ($115/mo)	$4,686/yr ($391/mo)	+$42,450