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Get a Free QuoteOnly 5-8% of Maine homes use natural gas — making this one of the least common heating fuels in the state. If you are among the few on Summit Natural Gas in the Portland or Lewiston corridor, here is how gas stacks up against a cold-climate heat pump.
Spoiler: the savings are real but more modest than oil-to-heat-pump conversions. Maine's cold climate (7,500 HDD) means heat pumps work harder here than in southern New England.
Last updated: March 2026
Switching from gas to a heat pump in Maine saves approximately $400-$800 per year in heating costs depending on home size and utility. That is real but modest — less than oil-to-heat-pump savings (~$1,500-$2,700/year in Maine). With gas furnace replacement at $4,000-$7,000 and heat pump installation at $14,000-$20,000, the payback without rebates is 12-20 years. Efficiency Maine rebates ($1,000-$3,000/unit) bring payback to 7-10 years — especially if your furnace needs replacement anyway or you lack central AC.
of ME homes heat with natural gas
avg annual gas heating cost
annual savings with a heat pump
Gas at $1.70/therm (Summit Natural Gas, March 2026). Heat pump at $0.27/kWh (CMP) with seasonal COP of 2.5. Savings are modest compared to oil conversions — we give you the honest numbers for Maine's cold climate.
Unlike Connecticut or Massachusetts where 30-50% of homes use gas, Maine's natural gas market is extremely limited. Understanding this context is key to making the right decision.
Summit Natural Gas of Maine is the primary gas provider, serving a small corridor in southern Maine — primarily Portland, Lewiston, Auburn, and surrounding communities. If you are reading this page, you are likely in one of these areas.
The dominant fuel in Maine is heating oil ($3.82/gallon). If you are currently on oil or propane, the heat pump vs oil comparison shows much larger savings ($1,500-$2,700/year) than gas conversion.
Summit Natural Gas rates in Maine average $1.60-$1.90 per therm, somewhat lower than New England average. Gas is already a relatively efficient fuel, which is why savings from switching are more modest than oil.
Maine averages 7,500 heating degree days — significantly colder than CT (5,700 HDD) or MA (5,600 HDD). This reduces heat pump COP from ~3.0 in milder climates to ~2.5 in Maine, which narrows the operating cost gap versus gas.
Natural gas at $1.70/therm vs cold-climate heat pump at $0.27/kWh (CMP) with COP 2.5. Gas furnace efficiency: 90% AFUE. Maine homes use more energy than southern NE due to colder winters.
| Home Size | Gas Usage | Gas Cost/Year | Heat Pump/Year | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Small 1,200 sq ft | 900 therms | $1,530 | $1,170 | $360 |
Medium 2,000 sq ft | 1,400 therms | $2,380 | $1,820 | $560 |
Large 3,000 sq ft | 2,000 therms | $3,400 | $2,600 | $800 |
1,200 sq ft · 900 therms/year
2,000 sq ft · 1,400 therms/year
3,000 sq ft · 2,000 therms/year
Gas price: $1.70/therm (Summit Natural Gas of Maine, March 2026). Heat pump assumes CMP residential rate of $0.27/kWh and seasonal COP of 2.5 (lower than southern NE due to Maine's colder climate). Gas furnace efficiency: 90% AFUE. Versant customers at $0.32/kWh would see smaller savings.
Gas-to-heat-pump savings in Maine are smaller than oil-to-heat-pump. Here is when the switch makes financial sense — and when it does not.
If your furnace needs replacement anyway, the incremental cost of choosing a heat pump over a new furnace is much lower. This is the ideal time to switch.
A heat pump provides heating AND cooling. Maine summers are getting warmer, and many older homes lack AC. A heat pump replaces both furnace and AC in one system.
Efficiency Maine offers $2,000/unit (moderate income) or $3,000/unit (low income). These enhanced rebates can cut payback to 5-7 years.
Summit Natural Gas infrastructure in Maine is relatively new, but heat pumps eliminate combustion risk entirely. No carbon monoxide, no gas leaks.
A modern high-efficiency gas furnace (95%+ AFUE) is already efficient. Wait until replacement age and switch then.
If you already have a working AC system, the dual heating+cooling benefit of a heat pump is less impactful since you are not eliminating a separate AC purchase.
Address insulation and air sealing first. In Maine's cold climate, a heat pump in a drafty home will run hard and may not deliver the savings shown here. Efficiency Maine offers insulation rebates too.
The best time to switch from gas to a heat pump is when your furnace needs replacement. If you are in the Portland area on Summit Natural Gas with an aging furnace and no AC, a heat pump is a strong choice. If your furnace is newer, consider supplementing with ductless mini-splits first.
Maine is one of the coldest states in the lower 48. Understanding how cold-climate heat pumps perform here is critical to making the right choice.
Maine heat pumps average a COP of 2.5 across the heating season (250% efficiency). This is lower than the 3.0+ seen in CT or MA, because Maine has more hours below 20 degrees F where COP drops to 1.5-2.0.
Southern Maine (Portland, -1 degrees F design temp) is Zone 5 — cold but manageable for modern heat pumps. Northern Maine (Caribou, -18 degrees F) is Zone 6 and may need supplemental backup heating on the coldest nights.
Many Maine homeowners keep their gas furnace as backup for the coldest days. The heat pump handles 80-90% of heating hours. The furnace kicks in only below 15-20 degrees F. This captures most savings with minimal risk.
Versant Power customers in northern/eastern Maine pay approximately $0.32/kWh — 19% higher than CMP's $0.27/kWh. This higher rate narrows the gas-to-heat-pump savings gap further. If you are on Versant and considering gas-to-heat-pump, carefully model your specific costs before committing.
Enter your current fuel type and annual usage to see how much you could save. The calculator uses current Maine fuel prices and CMP/Versant electricity rates.
Heating Oil
$3,050
/year
Heat Pump (CMP)
$1,460
/year
$1,590
10-year savings: $15,900
Efficiency Maine's rebate program is among the best in the country. These rebates are the key to making gas-to-heat-pump conversions financially viable.
There is no federal tax credit for heat pumps in 2026. Efficiency Maine rebates are the primary financial incentive available to Maine homeowners.
Full pricing breakdown by system type and size
Read guideComplete guide to rebate tiers and eligibility
Read guideOil-to-heat-pump savings are much larger in ME
Read guidePropane at $3.38/gal — heat pump savings analysis
Read guideWhich heat pump type suits your Maine home
Read guideHow CMP and Versant rates affect HP economics
Read guideNuWatt Energy helps Maine homeowners make the right decision about switching from gas to a heat pump. Get a free assessment, see your personalized savings estimate, and find out which Efficiency Maine rebates you qualify for.