Fuel-switch calculator · Propane

Propane to heat pump
savings calculator.

Propane is the go-to heating fuel in rural areas without gas lines — and it's priced to match, often $2.50–$4.00 per gallon. Mini-split heat pumps almost always win the operating-cost comparison against propane. Enter your ZIP, home size, and last year's propane bill to see how much.

01.

Propane is expensive per BTU

Propane delivers ~91,600 BTU per gallon. At $3.50/gallon through an 85%-AFUE furnace, that's roughly $45 per million usable BTU. A mini-split at HSPF2 10 on $0.18/kWh electricity is closer to $18 per million BTU — 60% cheaper heat.

02.

No pipeline needed

One of the big practical wins: no delivery scheduling, no running out in February, no storage tank to maintain. Electricity doesn't run out.

03.

Cooling bonus

Most homes on propane heat use window AC units — or nothing — for cooling. Switching to a mini-split adds whole-home cooling at no extra operating cost beyond the already-lower heating bill.

Step 01

Where is your home?

ZIP Code

We pull your local climate and electricity rate automatically.

Step 02

Your space

Square feet

Whole home, or the single room you're conditioning.

Step 03

Your current heating / cooling

Pick how your home is heated and cooled today. We'll show you which efficiency numbers to enter.

Current system

System type

Furnace AFUE (%)

On the nameplate or manual. Pre-2000 furnaces: ~78–82%. Modern high-efficiency: 90–98%.

Do you also have central AC?

Central AC SEER2

▾

Pre-2023 units report plain SEER — subtract about 1 to approximate SEER2 (e.g., a SEER 16 unit is ~SEER2 15).

Step 04

The new mini-split

Pick the efficiency ratings of the unit you're considering.

New mini-split

SEER2 (cooling)

▾

Typical DIY range: 18–28. Most popular units sell around 22.

HSPF2 (heating)

▾

Typical range: 8–11. Cold-climate units reach 10+.

Step 05

Calibrate with your utility bill — optional

Last 12 months of HVAC spending. When provided, we scale our estimate so it matches your actual spend — the single biggest accuracy boost per NREL ResStock.

Estimated annual HVAC cost ($)

Rough number is fine — skip if unsure. We'll use our model's estimate as a fallback.

1,500 sqft · 1 current system · 1 mini-split

Questions we get

My propane tank is leased — does that affect the math?: Yes, favorably. Most leased tanks carry a $100–$300 annual rental or minimum delivery fee. If you eliminate propane heat entirely and switch your water heater and cooking too, you can end the lease and drop those fees. Even partial conversion (heat only) can drop your delivery minimum.
Do I need a cold-climate mini-split?: If you're in IECC climate zone 5 or colder, yes — look for a unit on the NEEP cold-climate list rated at 100% of capacity at 5°F or below. In zones 1–4, any reputable mini-split with HSPF2 ≥ 8.5 will handle full load.
Can I keep my propane furnace as backup?: Absolutely — this is a common 'dual fuel' setup. The mini-split handles 90–95% of the year; the propane kicks in automatically below a set outdoor temperature (often 15°F). This is especially sensible in climate zones 6–8 or if you already own the furnace.
What about the propane stove / water heater / dryer?: Those are separate decisions. Mini-splits only replace the space heating + cooling. Converting water heating to a heat-pump water heater and cooking to induction can further reduce your propane bill, but those are different projects.