How much does it cost to run a geothermal heat pump?
A geothermal heat pump costs about 23¢ per hour, $5.53 a day, $168 a month and $841 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Includes compressor, blower and loop pump. Geothermal systems deliver 3.5-5 kWh of heat per kWh, so a 3-ton system uses roughly 4,000-5,000 kWh a winter; summer cooling use is in addition.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ton | 3,200 | 23¢ | $5.53 | $168 | $841 |
| 4 ton | 4,200 | 30¢ | $7.25 | $221 | $1,104 |
| 5 ton | 5,200 | 37¢ | $8.98 | $273 | $1,367 |
At 24 hours a day for 5 months a year and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 1.28 | 23¢ | $7.01 | $84 |
| 2 hours | 2.56 | 46¢ | $14.02 | $168 |
| 4 hours | 5.12 | 92¢ | $28.04 | $336 |
| 8 hours | 10.24 | $1.84 | $56.07 | $673 |
| 12 hours | 15.36 | $2.76 | $84.11 | $1,009 |
| 24 hours | 30.72 | $5.53 | $168 | $2,019 |
Cost to run a geothermal heat pump in every state
The same geothermal heat pump costs $576 a year in North Dakota and $2,034 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 16¢ | $115 | $576 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 16¢ | $118 | $591 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 16¢ | $120 | $601 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 17¢ | $121 | $607 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 17¢ | $125 | $623 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 17¢ | $125 | $625 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 17¢ | $126 | $628 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 17¢ | $127 | $634 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 18¢ | $128 | $641 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 18¢ | $129 | $647 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 18¢ | $130 | $651 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 18¢ | $130 | $652 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 18¢ | $131 | $655 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 18¢ | $132 | $660 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 18¢ | $132 | $661 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 18¢ | $133 | $664 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 19¢ | $138 | $691 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 19¢ | $138 | $691 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 19¢ | $141 | $705 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 19¢ | $141 | $707 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 20¢ | $143 | $716 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 20¢ | $144 | $720 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 20¢ | $144 | $720 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 20¢ | $145 | $724 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 20¢ | $145 | $725 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 20¢ | $146 | $731 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 20¢ | $149 | $746 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 21¢ | $152 | $758 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 21¢ | $154 | $769 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 21¢ | $154 | $770 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 21¢ | $155 | $775 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 22¢ | $158 | $792 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 23¢ | $166 | $832 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 23¢ | $171 | $853 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 24¢ | $175 | $876 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 24¢ | $176 | $878 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 26¢ | $194 | $968 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 27¢ | $197 | $983 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 27¢ | $197 | $984 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 30¢ | $222 | $1,112 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 30¢ | $223 | $1,113 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 31¢ | $226 | $1,131 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 34¢ | $249 | $1,247 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 34¢ | $251 | $1,255 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 36¢ | $262 | $1,309 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 36¢ | $265 | $1,327 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 37¢ | $274 | $1,368 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 38¢ | $274 | $1,370 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 39¢ | $285 | $1,423 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 42¢ | $308 | $1,542 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 56¢ | $407 | $2,034 |
How to cut the cost
- Keep thermostat setbacks to 2-3°F; larger setbacks can bring on resistance backup heat.
- Change the air filter every 1-3 months; restricted airflow lowers the coefficient of performance.
- Ask your installer to verify loop pump sizing; oversized circulation pumps can waste 500-1,000 kWh a year.
- Add a desuperheater if your system lacks one to pre-heat domestic hot water for free in summer.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Prevents unnecessary auxiliary heat staging.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geothermal heat pump | 3,200 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $168 | $841 |
| Heat pump | 4,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $184 | $920 |
| Electric furnace | 15,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $394 | $1,971 |
| Central air conditioner | 3,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $103 | $517 |
| Heat pump water heater | 450 | 1,300 kWh a year | $19.49 | $234 |
| Garage heater | 5,000 | 4 hours a day, 4 days a week for 5 months a year | $37.55 | $188 |
| Sauna | 6,000 | 1.5 hours a day, 3 days a week | $14.78 | $177 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a geothermal heat pump per hour?
A geothermal heat pump drawing 3,200 watts uses 1.28 kWh per hour while running (40% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 23¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 16¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 56¢.
How much does it cost to run a geothermal heat pump per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year), a geothermal heat pump costs about $168 a month while in use and $841 a year over the 5 months it's typically used, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a geothermal heat pump use?
Most geothermal heat pumps use 2,000 to 6,000 watts, depending on the setting (3 ton 3,200 W, 4 ton 4,200 W, 5 ton 5,200 W). Starting surge can reach 10,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a geothermal heat pump use?
About 30.72 kWh a day and 4,675 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a geothermal heat pump use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 4,675 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 45% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a geothermal heat pump or a heat pump?
At typical use, a geothermal heat pump costs about $841 a year versus $920 for a heat pump. So the geothermal heat pump is cheaper by about $79 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a geothermal heat pump?
- Keep thermostat setbacks to 2-3°F; larger setbacks can bring on resistance backup heat.
- Change the air filter every 1-3 months; restricted airflow lowers the coefficient of performance.
- Ask your installer to verify loop pump sizing; oversized circulation pumps can waste 500-1,000 kWh a year.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.