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

Heating costs in Virginia

The cheapest way to heat a home in Virginia at today's average prices is natural gas ($16.34 per million BTU of heat), then heat pump ($18.78). A heat pump costs 15% more to run than a gas furnace.

Heating oil$6.04/galOct 26, 2026 · +67.3% y/y

Propane$3.79/galOct 26, 2026 · +10.8% y/y

Natural gas$15.25/Mcfwinter 2025–26 avg. · Jul 2026: $29.83

Electricity17.6¢/kWhAugust 2026 · +11.3% y/y

Cheapest way to heat a home in Virginia

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	$15.25/Mcf · winter 2025–26 avg.	$16.34	$817
Heat pump	16.0¢/kWh ÷ COP 2.5	$18.78	$939
Propane	$3.79/gal · Oct 26, 2026	$46.08	$2,304
Electric resistance	16.0¢/kWh · winter 2025–26 avg.	$46.95	$2,347
Heating oil	$6.04/gal · Oct 26, 2026	$51.31	$2,565

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.

Heating oil in Virginia, winter by winter

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

U.S. average: $6.23/gal. Source: EIA State Heating Oil and Propane Program (residential, weekly).

Propane in Virginia, 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 Virginia

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 Virginia

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

Questions

How much is heating oil in Virginia?

$6.04 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+67.3% vs. a year earlier).

How much is propane in Virginia?

$3.79 per gallon for homes in the EIA survey of Oct 26, 2026 (+10.8% vs. a year earlier).

Is a heat pump cheaper than gas in Virginia?

Not at average prices: a heat pump (seasonal COP 2.5) costs $18.78 per million BTU of heat, 15% more than a 90% gas furnace at $16.34. A higher-efficiency heat pump or a lower electricity rate can change this.

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

At current average prices: natural gas $16.34, heat pump $18.78, propane $46.08, electric resistance $46.95, heating oil $51.31 per million BTU of delivered heat (cheapest first).