Firewood vs Propane vs Heating Oil — Cost Comparison

Enter your local fuel prices to see which heating source is the most cost-effective for your home.

Firewood Settings

Wood Species

Red Oak

Price per Cord ($)

Burning Appliance

Annual BTU Need (millions)

Use the cord calculator to estimate your annual need

Local Fuel Prices

Propane ($ per gallon)

Eff. %

Heating Oil ($ per gallon)

Eff. %

Natural Gas ($ per therm)

Eff. %

Electricity ($ per kWh)

Eff. %

Biggest Savings Opportunity

Save $2,004.59/year

by using Natural Gas instead of Electricity

Annual Heating Cost Comparison

Firewood$1,161.44

Propane$2,428.66

Heating Oil$2,378.42

Natural Gas$1,043.48

Electricity$3,048.07

Fuel	Cost/Million BTU	Units Needed	Annual Cost
Firewood	$14.52	4.6 cords	$1,161.44
Propane	$30.36	971.5 gallons	$2,428.66
Heating Oil	$29.73	679.5 gallons	$2,378.42
Natural GasCHEAPEST	$13.04	869.6 therms	$1,043.48
Electricity	$38.10	23,446.7 kWhs	$3,048.07

Understanding the Cost Comparison

Cost per million BTU is the fairest way to compare fuels because it normalizes for both energy content and appliance efficiency. A fuel may cost less per unit but deliver fewer usable BTUs.

Efficiency matters: An open fireplace (25% efficient) wastes 75% of the wood's energy up the chimney. An EPA-certified wood stove (70%+) captures nearly three times more heat from the same wood.

Hidden costs: This calculator compares fuel costs only. Consider equipment costs, maintenance, labor (splitting/stacking), chimney cleaning, and convenience when making your decision.

Last updated: December 2024