Is Electrification Worth It in Nebraska?

Omaha: 6,400 heating degree days, -10°F winter lows, and OPPD.

You need real heating. Natural gas costs $1.05/therm. Electricity runs $0.11/kWh from Omaha Public Power District. This is cold enough that you need a legitimate cold-climate heat pump, not a builder-grade unit. OPPD offers rebates up to $900 for qualifying heat pumps.

If you have natural gas, the economics are marginal—payback around 10-13 years. If you're heating with propane (common in rural Nebraska), switch immediately and save $1,200+ per year. The key is getting a cold-climate model (Mitsubishi, Bosch, Fujitsu) that works efficiently at -10°F. Don't cheap out.

Updated December 2024•Data from EIA, DSIRE, NREL
Heat Pump Payback
Not Recommended
With incentives
Annual Savings
$2,269
Full electrification
Available Incentives
$10,550
Federal + state + utility
CO₂ Reduction
14.3 tons
Per year

Nebraska Energy Costs

Electricity Rate
$0.115/kWh
Natural Gas Rate
$1.25/therm
Average Electric Bill
$122/month
Average Gas Bill
$68/month
Climate Zone
cold
Heating Degree Days
6,400
Cooling Degree Days
1,100
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Visual ROI Analysis

Payback Period Comparison

Lower is better • Shortest payback = fastest return on investment

Annual Savings Comparison

Higher is better • More annual savings = greater long-term benefit

Cumulative Net Savings Over Time

Point where line crosses $0 = payback achieved • Steeper line = faster savings growth

Return on Investment by Upgrade

🌡️

Heat Pump HVAC

Upfront Cost$12,000 - $22,000
Total Incentives-$2,500
Net Cost$9,500 - $19,500
Annual Savings$101/yr
Payback PeriodNot Recommended
Lifetime ROI15%
CO₂ Reduction4.7 tons/yr
☀️

Solar Panels

Upfront Cost$15,000 - $30,000
Total Incentives-$4,500
Net Cost$10,500 - $21,000
Annual Savings$745/yr
Payback Period22.2 years
Lifetime ROI97%
CO₂ Reduction3.1 tons/yr
💧

Heat Pump Water Heater

Upfront Cost$2,500 - $4,500
Total Incentives-$2,350
Net Cost$150 - $2,150
Annual Savings$203/yr
Payback Period7.3 years
Lifetime ROI67%
CO₂ Reduction1.8 tons/yr
⚡

EV Charger + Electric Vehicle

Upfront Cost$800 - $2,500
Total Incentives-$1,200
Net Cost$-400 - $1,300
Annual Savings$1,220/yr
Payback Period0.4 years
Lifetime ROI1574%
CO₂ Reduction4.8 tons/yr

Full Electrification Package

Total Upfront Cost
$30,300 - $59,000
Total Incentives
-$10,550
Net Cost After Incentives
$19,750 - $48,450
Annual Energy Savings
$2,269/year
Lifetime Savings (18 years)
$40,845
Simple Payback
16.8 years
💡

Best ROI for Nebraska

Based on your state's energy costs and climate, EV Charger offers the best return on investment with an average payback of 0.4 years and an ROI of 1574%.

0.0 years slower than average compared to the national average.

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