About and method

Meterwise helps homeowners compare home upgrades using their own electric utility's rates and local weather, instead of state averages. It is run by the team behind Meterwise.

What we cover

Our first calculator answers one question: your air conditioner or furnace is failing, so should you replace it like-for-like or switch to a heat pump? It covers electric utilities in Massachusetts, Virginia, Arizona, with more states and upgrades to come.

Where the numbers come from

• Electricity rates: the U.S. Utility Rate Database (OpenEI, CC BY 4.0) when it has a current tariff for your utility, otherwise your utility's average residential price from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
• Which utility serves a ZIP code: OpenEI's utility ZIP code data (CC BY 4.0).
• Gas prices: EIA state residential prices, averaged over recent winter months.
• Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals from the nearest weather station.
• Installed costs: ranges drawn from published studies and program data (NESCAUM/Energy Solutions 2024, Rewiring America 2024, EIA 2023), adjusted for state labor costs using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages.
• Rebates: checked on each program's own website; each page lists the date we checked.

How we calculate

Each calculator page explains its method in full under "How we calculate this". In short: we estimate your home's yearly heating and cooling need from local weather, floor area and insulation; work out the gas and electricity each option would use; price the electricity through your utility's actual tariff; and add installed costs (typical prices from $3,800 for a furnace to $20,000 for a high-efficiency heat pump) to compare totals over 15 years.

The data is rebuilt every quarter. Last build: 2026-11-09.

Limits

These are estimates for a typical home, not a quote, an energy audit or financial advice. Real installed prices depend on your house and your contractor. Get several quotes.

Contact

Found an error, or want your utility added? Please email hello@meterwise.app.