How much does it cost to run a heat pump?
A heat pump costs about 25¢ per hour, $6.04 a day, $184 a month and $920 a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Watts are average compressor plus blower draw in heating, including occasional backup strip heat. Defaults give about 5,000 kWh a winter for a 3-ton system in a moderate climate; very cold climates use more because of backup heat.
Calculate your cost
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton | 2,700 | 17¢ | $4.08 | $124 | $621 |
| 3 ton | 4,000 | 25¢ | $6.04 | $184 | $920 |
| 4 ton | 5,300 | 33¢ | $8.01 | $244 | $1,219 |
| 5 ton | 6,600 | 42¢ | $9.97 | $304 | $1,518 |
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 | 1.40 | 25¢ | $7.67 | $92 |
| 2 hours | 2.80 | 50¢ | $15.33 | $184 |
| 4 hours | 5.60 | $1.01 | $30.66 | $368 |
| 8 hours | 11.20 | $2.01 | $61.33 | $736 |
| 12 hours | 16.80 | $3.02 | $91.99 | $1,104 |
| 24 hours | 33.60 | $6.04 | $184 | $2,208 |
Cost to run a heat pump in every state
The same heat pump costs $630 a year in North Dakota and $2,225 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¢ | 17¢ | $126 | $630 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 18¢ | $129 | $647 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 18¢ | $132 | $658 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 18¢ | $133 | $664 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 19¢ | $136 | $681 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 19¢ | $137 | $683 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 19¢ | $137 | $687 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 19¢ | $139 | $693 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 19¢ | $140 | $701 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 19¢ | $142 | $708 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 19¢ | $142 | $712 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 20¢ | $143 | $713 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 20¢ | $143 | $716 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 20¢ | $144 | $722 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 20¢ | $145 | $723 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 20¢ | $145 | $726 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 21¢ | $151 | $755 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 21¢ | $151 | $755 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 21¢ | $154 | $772 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 21¢ | $155 | $773 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 21¢ | $157 | $783 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 22¢ | $157 | $787 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 22¢ | $157 | $787 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 22¢ | $158 | $792 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 22¢ | $159 | $793 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 22¢ | $160 | $800 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 22¢ | $163 | $816 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 23¢ | $166 | $829 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 23¢ | $168 | $841 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 23¢ | $169 | $843 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 23¢ | $170 | $848 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 24¢ | $173 | $866 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 25¢ | $182 | $910 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 26¢ | $187 | $933 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 26¢ | $192 | $958 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 26¢ | $192 | $961 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 29¢ | $212 | $1,058 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 29¢ | $215 | $1,075 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 29¢ | $215 | $1,076 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 33¢ | $243 | $1,216 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 33¢ | $243 | $1,217 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 34¢ | $247 | $1,237 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 37¢ | $273 | $1,364 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 38¢ | $275 | $1,373 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 39¢ | $286 | $1,431 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 40¢ | $290 | $1,452 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 41¢ | $299 | $1,497 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 41¢ | $300 | $1,499 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 43¢ | $311 | $1,556 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 46¢ | $337 | $1,687 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 61¢ | $445 | $2,225 |
How to cut the cost
- Avoid big thermostat setbacks of more than 2-3°F with older single-speed heat pumps; recovering from a setback often triggers the expensive backup strip heat.
- Set the auxiliary heat lockout to 30-35°F outdoor temperature on a compatible thermostat so strips run only when needed.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, leaves and shrubs by at least 2 ft and replace filters every 1-3 months.
- Have refrigerant charge and airflow checked every 1-2 years; a 10% undercharge cuts efficiency 10-20%.
- Use 'Heat' not 'Emergency heat' unless the compressor has failed; emergency heat costs 2-3 times as much.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Manages auxiliary heat and setbacks to keep the compressor doing most of the work.
See options on AmazonVariable-speed compressors keep efficient output down to 5°F or below and cut backup heat use.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Geothermal heat pump | 3,200 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $168 | $841 |
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| 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 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heat pump per hour?
A heat pump drawing 4,000 watts uses 1.40 kWh per hour while running (35% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 25¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 17¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 61¢.
How much does it cost to run a heat pump per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year), a heat pump costs about $184 a month while in use and $920 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 heat pump use?
Most heat pumps use 2,000 to 8,000 watts, depending on the setting (2 ton 2,700 W, 3 ton 4,000 W, 4 ton 5,300 W, 5 ton 6,600 W). Starting surge can reach 12,000 W. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a heat pump use?
About 33.60 kWh a day and 5,114 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a heat pump use a lot of electricity?
Yes. At 5,114 kWh a year it's one of the bigger loads in a home, about 49% of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh a year.
Is it cheaper to run a heat pump or an electric furnace?
At typical use, a heat pump costs about $920 a year versus $1,971 for an electric furnace. So the heat pump is cheaper by about $1,051 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a heat pump?
- Avoid big thermostat setbacks of more than 2-3°F with older single-speed heat pumps; recovering from a setback often triggers the expensive backup strip heat.
- Set the auxiliary heat lockout to 30-35°F outdoor temperature on a compatible thermostat so strips run only when needed.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, leaves and shrubs by at least 2 ft and replace filters every 1-3 months.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.