How Much Does It Cost to Run a Furnace? (Per Hour)

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

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Quick Answer

A typical 60,000 BTU/h gas furnace costs about $1.15 per hour of burner run at the September 2026 national averages (natural gas ≈ $1.92/therm) — the fuel burned depends on the input rating, not the efficiency. Where AFUE shows up is run-hours: to deliver the same heat, an 80% AFUE furnace burns about 19% more fuel over the month than a 95% one. An electric resistance furnace of equivalent output costs roughly 3–4× the gas figure — near $3.20/hour at the 18.34¢/kWh national average — which is the whole argument for gas heat in one line. The formula is two numbers off the rating plate and one off your bill:

Per Hour on Utility Explained

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Furnace? (Per Hour)

Quick Answer