EIA data through August 2026 · updated 2026-10-29

Heating costs in Idaho

The cheapest way to heat a home in Idaho at today's average prices is natural gas ($7.65 per million BTU of heat), then heat pump ($14.49). A heat pump costs 89.5% more to run than a gas furnace.

Propane$2.69/galOct 26, 2026 · +16.2% y/y

Natural gas$7.14/Mcfwinter 2025–26 avg. · Jul 2026: $13.29

Electricity13.4¢/kWhAugust 2026 · +10.7% y/y

Cheapest way to heat a home in Idaho

cost of the same amount of heat

Your home's heating need per winter: 50 million BTU

Heat source	Price used	Per million BTU of heat	Per winter
Natural gas cheapest	$7.14/Mcf · winter 2025–26 avg.	$7.65	$383
Heat pump	12.4¢/kWh ÷ COP 2.5	$14.49	$725
Propane	$2.69/gal · Oct 26, 2026	$32.62	$1,631
Electric resistance	12.4¢/kWh · winter 2025–26 avg.	$36.24	$1,812

How we compare: fuel price ÷ (energy content × efficiency). Assumptions — heating oil 138,500 BTU/gal at 85%, propane 91,500 BTU/gal at 90%, natural gas 1,037,000 BTU per Mcf at 90%, electric resistance 100%, heat pump seasonal COP 2.5 (lower in very cold weather). Gas and electricity use last winter's average price; oil and propane the latest weekly survey. Delivery fees, tank rental and fixed charges vary and are not included.

Propane in Idaho, winter by winter

2023–242024–252025–262026–27 (this winter)Weekly survey, Oct–Mar · hover a point for the exact price

U.S. average: $2.73/gal. Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (residential, weekly).

Natural gas price in Idaho

Residential natural gas, $ per McfMonthly · summer prices per Mcf run higher because fixed charges are spread over less gas

Average price paid by homes, including delivery charges. Source: EIA Natural Gas Monthly.

Electricity in Idaho

Electric heat and heat pumps run on your utility's rate. See Idaho electricity rates by utility and ZIP code →

Questions

How much is propane in Idaho?

$2.69 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+16.2% vs. a year earlier).

Is a heat pump cheaper than gas in Idaho?

Not at average prices: a heat pump (seasonal COP 2.5) costs $14.49 per million BTU of heat, 89.5% more than a 90% gas furnace at $7.65. A higher-efficiency heat pump or a lower electricity rate can change this.

What is the cheapest way to heat a home in Idaho?

At current average prices: natural gas $7.65, heat pump $14.49, propane $32.62, electric resistance $36.24 per million BTU of delivered heat (cheapest first).