How much does it cost to run a mini split heat pump (heating)?
A mini split heat pump (heating) costs about 11¢ per hour, $1.53 a day, $46.65 a month and $233 a year at typical use (14 hours a day for 5 months a year) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Inverter mini splits modulate output, so watts are average draw at rated capacity; at mild temperatures they deliver 3 or more kWh of heat per kWh of electricity. Figures are for a single zone.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9,000 BTU | 850 | 8.4¢ | $1.19 | $36.11 | $181 |
| 12,000 BTU | 1,100 | 11¢ | $1.53 | $46.65 | $233 |
| 18,000 BTU | 1,650 | 16¢ | $2.29 | $69.84 | $349 |
| 24,000 BTU | 2,300 | 23¢ | $3.20 | $97.25 | $486 |
At 14 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 | 0.72 | 13¢ | $3.94 | $47 |
| 2 hours | 1.32 | 24¢ | $7.23 | $87 |
| 4 hours | 2.52 | 45¢ | $13.80 | $166 |
| 8 hours | 4.92 | 89¢ | $26.94 | $323 |
| 12 hours | 7.32 | $1.32 | $40.08 | $481 |
| 24 hours | 14.52 | $2.61 | $79.51 | $954 |
Cost to run a mini split heat pump (heating) in every state
The same mini split heat pump (heating) costs $160 a year in North Dakota and $564 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¢ | 7.5¢ | $31.95 | $160 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 7.7¢ | $32.80 | $164 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 7.8¢ | $33.35 | $167 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 7.9¢ | $33.69 | $168 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 8.1¢ | $34.54 | $173 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 8.1¢ | $34.65 | $173 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 8.1¢ | $34.83 | $174 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 8.2¢ | $35.16 | $176 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 8.3¢ | $35.53 | $178 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 8.4¢ | $35.89 | $179 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 8.4¢ | $36.10 | $180 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 8.4¢ | $36.18 | $181 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 8.5¢ | $36.33 | $182 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 8.5¢ | $36.62 | $183 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 8.5¢ | $36.64 | $183 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 8.6¢ | $36.82 | $184 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $38.30 | $192 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 8.9¢ | $38.30 | $192 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 9.1¢ | $39.13 | $196 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 9.1¢ | $39.21 | $196 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 9.3¢ | $39.73 | $199 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 9.3¢ | $39.91 | $200 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 9.3¢ | $39.94 | $200 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 9.4¢ | $40.14 | $201 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 9.4¢ | $40.20 | $201 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 9.5¢ | $40.56 | $203 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 9.7¢ | $41.39 | $207 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 9.8¢ | $42.06 | $210 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 9.9¢ | $42.63 | $213 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 10.0¢ | $42.74 | $214 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 10¢ | $43.00 | $215 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 10¢ | $43.93 | $220 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 11¢ | $46.13 | $231 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 11¢ | $47.33 | $237 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 11¢ | $48.60 | $243 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 11¢ | $48.73 | $244 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 13¢ | $53.68 | $268 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 13¢ | $54.54 | $273 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 13¢ | $54.59 | $273 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 14¢ | $61.67 | $308 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 14¢ | $61.72 | $309 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 15¢ | $62.76 | $314 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 16¢ | $69.16 | $346 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 16¢ | $69.63 | $348 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 17¢ | $72.59 | $363 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 17¢ | $73.62 | $368 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 18¢ | $75.91 | $380 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 18¢ | $76.01 | $380 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 18¢ | $78.91 | $395 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 20¢ | $85.55 | $428 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 26¢ | $113 | $564 |
How to cut the cost
- Set it to one steady temperature (for example 68°F) and leave it; inverter units are most efficient running low and continuously rather than recovering from setbacks.
- Clean the indoor unit's washable filters every 2-4 weeks during the heating season; clogged filters cut capacity noticeably.
- Use Heat mode, not Auto, and keep the indoor louvers pointed down so warm air reaches the floor.
- Keep the outdoor unit raised above snow line on a stand and clear of ice.
- Use it as the main heat in open living areas and turn down baseboards or furnace zones it covers.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Lets you schedule and adjust from a phone so it never heats an empty home at full set point.
See options on AmazonKeeps the outdoor coil above snow and helps defrost drainage, maintaining winter efficiency.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini split heat pump (heating) | 1,100 | 14 hours a day for 5 months a year | $46.65 | $233 |
| Mini split air conditioner | 900 | 10 hours a day for 4 months a year | $27.49 | $110 |
| Heat pump | 4,000 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $184 | $920 |
| Electric baseboard heater | 1,500 | 12 hours a day for 5 months a year | $49.28 | $246 |
| Wall heater | 1,500 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $32.85 | $164 |
| Space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
| Ceramic space heater | 1,500 | 6 hours a day for 5 months a year | $29.67 | $148 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a mini split heat pump (heating) per hour?
A mini split heat pump (heating) drawing 1,100 watts uses 0.60 kWh per hour while running (55% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 11¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 7.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 26¢.
How much does it cost to run a mini split heat pump (heating) per month?
At typical use (14 hours a day for 5 months a year), a mini split heat pump (heating) costs about $46.65 a month while in use and $233 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 mini split heat pump (heating) use?
Most mini split heat pump (heating)s use 400 to 3,000 watts, depending on the setting (9,000 btu 850 W, 12,000 btu 1,100 W, 18,000 btu 1,650 W, 24,000 btu 2,300 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 5 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a mini split heat pump (heating) use?
About 8.52 kWh a day and 1,297 kWh a year at typical use (14 hours a day for 5 months a year).
Does a mini split heat pump (heating) use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 1,297 kWh a year is about 12% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a mini split heat pump (heating) or a mini split air conditioner?
At typical use, a mini split heat pump (heating) costs about $233 a year versus $110 for a mini split air conditioner. So the mini split air conditioner is cheaper by about $123 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a mini split heat pump (heating)?
- Set it to one steady temperature (for example 68°F) and leave it; inverter units are most efficient running low and continuously rather than recovering from setbacks.
- Clean the indoor unit's washable filters every 2-4 weeks during the heating season; clogged filters cut capacity noticeably.
- Use Heat mode, not Auto, and keep the indoor louvers pointed down so warm air reaches the floor.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.