EIA data · OH
Ohio: what each way of heating costs
The short answer
In Ohio, electricity averaged 18.41¢/kWh (0.4¢ above the US average). That puts mini-split heat at about $18 per million BTU at rated efficiency, versus $14 for natural gas. A heat pump loses on fuel cost at rated efficiency, and loses at 5°F.
Fuel prices are EIA SEDS 2024 residential averages per million BTU of fuel, divided by 90% furnace/boiler efficiency. Electricity is the EIA trailing-twelve-month residential average. Heat pump efficiency: ENERGY STAR median cold-climate system, HSPF2 10 (COP 2.93) rated, COP 2 at 5°F.
Cities in Ohio
| City | 99% design temp | Heat pump $/yr | Gas $/yr | Oil $/yr | Propane $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 11°F | $1,108 | $763 | $1,463 | $1,631 |
| Cleveland | 10°F | $1,172 | $805 | $1,544 | $1,721 |
| Cincinnati | 13°F | $1,054 | $731 | $1,401 | $1,562 |
| Toledo | 7°F | $1,195 | $814 | $1,561 | $1,740 |
Keep going
- Cost-to-heat calculator: put in a ZIP for your own number instead of a state average.
- All city estimates, sizing by design temperature and incentives.
- States with a similar electricity price: Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota.
Questions people ask
What is the electricity price in Ohio?
EIA reports a residential average of 18.41¢/kWh for Ohio over September 2025 to August 2026; the latest month, August 2026, was 19.38¢/kWh. The US average over the same twelve months was 18.04¢/kWh.
Is a heat pump cheaper than natural gas in Ohio?
Per million BTU of delivered heat, a heat pump at its rated HSPF2 costs about $18 versus $14 for natural gas at 90% efficiency. At 5°F, when efficiency is lowest, the heat pump costs about $27 per million BTU.