Home Heating Cost Calculator 2026

Annual heating cost = floor area (m²) × building energy benchmark (kWh/m²/year) ÷ fuel calorific value × unit price. The calculator performs this automatically once you enter the area, building type, heat source and fuel price.

An old house built before the 1990s typically has a heat demand of 180–250 kWh/m²/year. The calculator uses 200 kWh/m²/year as an estimate. After thermal retrofitting the benchmark drops to 80–150 kWh/m²/year.

A new house meeting 2021 technical standards: about 70–120 kWh/m²/year — the calculator uses 90 kWh/m²/year. A passive house: below 15 kWh/m²/year — we use 40 kWh/m²/year as an estimate including internal gains and ventilation heat recovery.

COP (Coefficient of Performance) measures heat pump efficiency — how many kWh of heat it produces per kWh of electricity. At COP=3.5 (used in the calculator) the pump produces 3.5 kWh of heat per 1 kWh of electricity, making it far cheaper than direct electric heating.

It depends on current prices. Gas calorific value is about 10.55 kWh/m³ and pellet about 5 kWh/kg. Enter the current unit prices in the calculator to get an accurate comparison for your region.

In Poland the heating season typically runs from October to the end of April — about 7 months. The monthly heating cost shown is the annual cost divided by 7, giving a realistic picture of winter spending.

Available Polish programmes: Czyste Powietrze — grants up to PLN 135,000 for boiler replacement and thermal renovation; Moje Ciepło — up to PLN 21,000 for heat pumps; Thermal modernisation tax relief — up to PLN 53,000 deduction from PIT. Apply via WFOŚiGW or gov.pl.

Retrofitting (insulation, window replacement, sealing) reduces the building energy benchmark from 200 to about 120 kWh/m²/year — a 40% saving. For a 100 m² house heated with gas that means roughly PLN 1,500–2,500 less per year. Payback period is typically 8–15 years.

For gas enter the price per m³ divided by the calorific value. Example: PLN 3.50/m³ ÷ 10.55 kWh/m³ ≈ PLN 0.33/kWh. For coal and pellet enter price per kg. Check your utility bill for the current unit price.

No — the calculator shows fuel/energy costs only. It excludes boiler depreciation, servicing, insurance, gas connection fees and other fixed costs. These can add 10–30% to total heating costs depending on the system.