How much does it cost to run a heat pump?
Short answer: A heat pump drawing 3,000 watts costs about $0.55 per hour at the U.S. average residential price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Used 8 hours a day, 30 days a month, that is about $131.83 per month and $1,582 per year. In Louisiana, the cheapest state, the same use costs $91.58 a month; in Hawaii, the most expensive, $345.60.
Heat pump cost calculator
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Hours per day the outdoor unit is actually running. In mild weather it may run only a few hours; in a cold snap, most of the day.
Uses 720.0 kWh per month. The starting price is the U.S. residential average; choose your state or type the price from your own bill.
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| Appliance | Usage | Per month | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | |||
| Per year |
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. In heating mode it collects heat from the outdoor air and delivers it indoors, which is why it can provide two to three units of heat for each unit of electricity it uses.
Cost by size and setting
Costs below use the U.S. average price and 8 hours a day, 30 days a month.
| Type | Power | Per hour | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-zone ductless mini-split | 900 W | $0.16 | $39.55 |
| 3-ton central heat pump | 3,000 W | $0.55 | $131.83 |
| 5-ton central heat pump | 5,000 W | $0.92 | $219.72 |
Why it is cheaper than other electric heat
An electric furnace, baseboard heater or space heater turns one kilowatt-hour into one kilowatt-hour of heat. A heat pump uses that same kilowatt-hour to run a compressor that moves two or three times as much heat from outside. The U.S. Department of Energy says a modern heat pump can cut electricity use for heating by up to 75 percent compared with electric resistance heating.
The same machine cools the house in summer, working exactly like a central air conditioner. Its running cost for cooling is essentially the same as an air conditioner of equal efficiency.
What changes the cost
Outdoor temperature matters most. The colder it is outside, the harder the system works and the less heat it delivers per kilowatt-hour. Older models switch to backup resistance strips in very cold weather, which can triple the draw. Cold-climate models keep working efficiently well below freezing.
Run time is the other variable. A well-insulated home in a mild climate may need a few hours a day; a drafty one in a northern winter may need the system running most of the time.
How to lower the cost
- Hold a steady temperature. Large setbacks can trigger the expensive backup heat.
- Clean or replace the air filter regularly.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, leaves and shrubs.
- Seal ducts and add insulation so the heat you pay for stays inside.
How a heat pump compares with other appliances
Typical power and use for each appliance, at the U.S. average price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Follow a link for that appliance's own calculator, or compare two side by side.
| Appliance | Power | Typical use | Energy per month | Cost per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | 3,000 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 720.0 kWh | $131.83 |
| Space heater | 1,500 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 360.0 kWh | $65.92 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 840.0 kWh | $153.80 |
| Electric water heater | 4,500 W | 3 hours a day, 30 days a month | 405.0 kWh | $74.16 |
| Window air conditioner | 900 W | 8 hours a day, 30 days a month | 216.0 kWh | $39.55 |
The math behind the numbers
3,000 watts ÷ 1,000 = 3 kW. 3 kW × 8 hours = 24 kWh per day. 24 kWh × $0.1831 = $4.39 per day. Over 30 days that is 720.0 kWh and $131.83 a month.
Your own figure will differ if your appliance has a different wattage, if you use it more or less, or if your price per kWh is not the national average. Change any of those in the calculator at the top of this page. Our step-by-step guide explains where to find each number.
Cost to run a heat pump in every state
Based on 3,000 watts for 8 hours a day, 30 days a month, at each state's average residential electricity price for July 2026.
| State | Price per kWh | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.40¢ | $0.49 | $118.08 | $1,417 |
| Alaska | 28.83¢ | $0.86 | $207.58 | $2,491 |
| Arizona | 15.38¢ | $0.46 | $110.74 | $1,329 |
| Arkansas | 14.33¢ | $0.43 | $103.18 | $1,238 |
| California | 33.61¢ | $1.01 | $241.99 | $2,904 |
| Colorado | 17.00¢ | $0.51 | $122.40 | $1,469 |
| Connecticut | 24.16¢ | $0.72 | $173.95 | $2,087 |
| Delaware | 18.48¢ | $0.55 | $133.06 | $1,597 |
| District of Columbia | 25.21¢ | $0.76 | $181.51 | $2,178 |
| Florida | 15.03¢ | $0.45 | $108.22 | $1,299 |
| Georgia | 16.27¢ | $0.49 | $117.14 | $1,406 |
| Hawaii | 48.00¢ | $1.44 | $345.60 | $4,147 |
| Idaho | 13.73¢ | $0.41 | $98.86 | $1,186 |
| Illinois | 19.22¢ | $0.58 | $138.38 | $1,661 |
| Indiana | 16.73¢ | $0.50 | $120.46 | $1,445 |
| Iowa | 15.99¢ | $0.48 | $115.13 | $1,382 |
| Kansas | 15.27¢ | $0.46 | $109.94 | $1,319 |
| Kentucky | 13.81¢ | $0.41 | $99.43 | $1,193 |
| Louisiana | 12.72¢ | $0.38 | $91.58 | $1,099 |
| Maine | 32.41¢ | $0.97 | $233.35 | $2,800 |
| Maryland | 21.41¢ | $0.64 | $154.15 | $1,850 |
| Massachusetts | 30.49¢ | $0.91 | $219.53 | $2,634 |
| Michigan | 23.05¢ | $0.69 | $165.96 | $1,992 |
| Minnesota | 17.45¢ | $0.52 | $125.64 | $1,508 |
| Mississippi | 14.54¢ | $0.44 | $104.69 | $1,256 |
| Missouri | 16.09¢ | $0.48 | $115.85 | $1,390 |
| Montana | 14.99¢ | $0.45 | $107.93 | $1,295 |
| Nebraska | 13.78¢ | $0.41 | $99.22 | $1,191 |
| Nevada | 12.77¢ | $0.38 | $91.94 | $1,103 |
| New Hampshire | 26.60¢ | $0.80 | $191.52 | $2,298 |
| New Jersey | 25.19¢ | $0.76 | $181.37 | $2,176 |
| New Mexico | 16.09¢ | $0.48 | $115.85 | $1,390 |
| New York | 29.90¢ | $0.90 | $215.28 | $2,583 |
| North Carolina | 15.16¢ | $0.45 | $109.15 | $1,310 |
| North Dakota | 13.41¢ | $0.40 | $96.55 | $1,159 |
| Ohio | 19.45¢ | $0.58 | $140.04 | $1,680 |
| Oklahoma | 14.35¢ | $0.43 | $103.32 | $1,240 |
| Oregon | 15.97¢ | $0.48 | $114.98 | $1,380 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.72¢ | $0.65 | $156.38 | $1,877 |
| Rhode Island | 28.29¢ | $0.85 | $203.69 | $2,444 |
| South Carolina | 15.47¢ | $0.46 | $111.38 | $1,337 |
| South Dakota | 15.37¢ | $0.46 | $110.66 | $1,328 |
| Tennessee | 13.71¢ | $0.41 | $98.71 | $1,185 |
| Texas | 15.88¢ | $0.48 | $114.34 | $1,372 |
| Utah | 13.12¢ | $0.39 | $94.46 | $1,134 |
| Vermont | 23.75¢ | $0.71 | $171.00 | $2,052 |
| Virginia | 17.55¢ | $0.53 | $126.36 | $1,516 |
| Washington | 14.71¢ | $0.44 | $105.91 | $1,271 |
| West Virginia | 15.78¢ | $0.47 | $113.62 | $1,363 |
| Wisconsin | 19.06¢ | $0.57 | $137.23 | $1,647 |
| Wyoming | 14.36¢ | $0.43 | $103.39 | $1,241 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heat pump cost to run per month?
At 3,000 watts for 8 hours a day, about $131.83 a month at the U.S. average electricity price. Actual use varies widely with climate and insulation.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than an electric furnace?
Yes. It delivers two to three times as much heat per kilowatt-hour, so the running cost is typically a half to a third.
Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
Yes, though they become less efficient as it gets colder. Cold-climate models are designed to keep heating efficiently well below freezing.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Heat Pump Systems
- ENERGY STAR: Air-Source Heat Pumps
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Appliances and Electronics
Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.