October 2009
|
Fuel Type
|
|
|
|
|
Appliance
Efficiency
(%, COP,
or AFUE)
|
|
| Wood |
200/Cord
|
$140/Cord
|
$0.70
|
Fireplace
|
38%
|
$1.84
|
| Wood |
200/Cord
|
$140/Cord
|
$0.70
|
Stove
|
72%
|
$0.97
|
| Electric |
0.03413/kWh
|
$0.088/kWh
|
$2.58
|
Baseboard
|
100%
|
$2.58
|
| Electric |
0.0529/kWh
|
$0.088/kWh
|
$1.67
|
Air-Air Heat Pump
|
1.55 COP
|
$1.67
|
| Electric |
0.1024/kWh
|
$0.088/kWh
|
$0.86
|
Earth-Air Heat Pump
|
3 COP
|
$0.86
|
| Propane |
0.915/Gal.
|
$1.60/Gal.
|
$1.75
|
Furnace
|
80% AFUE
|
$2.18
|
| Propane |
0.915/Gal.
|
$1.60/Gal.
|
|
Furnace
|
90% AFUE
|
$1.94
|
| #2 Oil |
1.39/Gal.
|
$2.23/Gal.
|
$1.60
|
Furnace
|
72% AFUE
|
$2.23
|
| Pellets |
150/Ton
|
$215/Ton
|
$1.43
|
Stove
|
80% AFUE
|
$1.79
|
| Coal |
171.4/Ton
|
$85/Ton
|
$0.50
|
Furnace
|
70% AFUE
|
$0.71
|
| Natural Gas |
10/Dkt
|
$8.624/Dkt
|
$0.86
|
Furnace
|
80% AFUE
|
$1.08
|
| Natural Gas |
10/Dkt
|
$8.624/Dkt
|
|
Furnace
|
90% AFUE
|
$0.96
|
| Natural Gas |
10/Dkt
|
$8.624/Dkt
|
|
Furnace
|
64% AFUE
|
$1.35
|
| |
|
|
- Cost per 100,000 Btus delivered as useable heat
- British Thermal Unit (Btu) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1°F.
- Based on altitude and atmospheric pressure in Helena, MT
|
Therm
|
= 100,000 Btus |
|
1,000 Btu
|
= 1 cubic foot |
|
1,000,000 Btu
|
= 1 dekatherm |
|
100,000 Btu
|
= 1 therm |
|
The fuel comparisons shown are based on NorthWestern Energy's rates for electricity and natural gas and are subject to change. Monthly meter charges and/or tank rental charges are not included in the comparison and need to be included if calculating a change in fuel sources. If you are comparing costs to other fuels or other energy providers, please adjust for fuel or rate cost difference applicable to your market area.
|
|
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|