Define what the equipment must deliver
Identify the required heat, hot water or process service and the operating conditions. Comparing bills alone may mix different building areas, schedules or equipment loads. Establish an output requirement and include distribution losses where relevant. For a replacement project, ask a qualified designer to explain capacity, operating temperature and performance under local design conditions.
Put the energy on a common basis
Electricity kWh, gas therms and gas volume are different measures. Volume-to-energy gas conversion requires heat content. Equipment efficiency or heat-pump performance then determines the purchased energy needed for useful output. Do not use a single efficiency assumption for every temperature or load. Keep conversion assumptions visible so a reviewer can reproduce the calculation.
Include costs beyond commodity energy
An electrical upgrade, new demand peak, remaining gas service fee or maintenance requirement can affect the result. If gas service stays for another appliance, its fixed charges may not disappear. If electrification creates a higher peak, the tariff impact may matter. Compare capital, maintenance and operating costs over a defined horizon, and avoid counting a discontinued charge as saved unless service really ends.
Test the decision under different conditions
Use several price and operating cases rather than a single future forecast. Ask how the equipment performs during colder periods and whether backup heat is needed. Verify current incentives directly before including them; eligibility and program availability can change. A fuel-cost worksheet supports an engineering decision but does not replace design, electrical service or safety review.
A practical example
Illustrative explanation, not a customer outcome.
At an assumed $0.12/kWh, a hypothetical device using 1,000 kWh costs $120 in modeled electricity energy. This does not yet compare it with gas: the useful output, equipment performance, demand and delivery costs must be matched first.
Put the review into practice
| Review step | What to record |
|---|---|
| Define the objective | Separate procurement, consumption, resilience and capital needs. |
| Collect the baseline | Document quantities, operations and the relevant agreements. |
| Test practical cases | Include costs, constraints and a less favorable outcome. |
| Assign responsibility | Record who approves, monitors and maintains the plan. |
Questions worth asking
Is one fuel always cheaper in Ohio?
No. The answer depends on the application, equipment, rates and service costs.
Can I use the gas converter as an equipment sizing tool?
No. It converts units only; equipment design requires a qualified professional.
Continue the comparison
Sources and scope
Reviewed October 15, 2026. Follow the source’s own data period, effective dates and current terms. Examples are hypothetical unless expressly identified as a dated published result. A source is context, not a guarantee of eligibility or a product endorsement.