Calculators · Cost to run
How much does it cost to run a heat pump?
A heat pump heats and cools the same way — by moving heat, not making it — so it's far cheaper to run than electric resistance heat. It cycles like an air conditioner, so cost is best measured by daily energy, which swings a lot with the weather: roughly 30 kWh on a moderate day, far more in a cold snap.
per day
$3.74
per month
$113.79
per year
$1364.48
A heat pump uses about 30 kWh a day, costing roughly $3.74/day or $113.79/month at 12.46¢/kWh.
Runs entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent anywhere. Estimates only; your actual bill depends on your usage and includes delivery charges on top of the supply rate.
What it costs per day, at real rates
Based on heating or cooling a typical home on a moderate day (~30 kWh), priced at three of the utilities we track:
| Utility | Rate | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| PECO (PA) | 10.789¢/kWh | $3.24 |
| BGE (MD) | 14.609¢/kWh | $4.38 |
| ComEd (IL) | 10.399¢/kWh | $3.12 |
Supply rate only; delivery charges are extra. Use the calculator above for your own utility and usage.
Heat-pump energy by conditions
| Conditions | Approx. daily energy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild day (45–60°F) | ~10–15 kWh | Most efficient — heat is easy to move |
| Moderate day | ~25–35 kWh | Typical heating or cooling load |
| Cold snap (below ~25°F) | ~50+ kWh | Efficiency drops; backup/aux heat may kick in |
| Summer cooling | ~20–30 kWh | Same as a central AC of similar size |
Highly dependent on climate, home size, insulation, and the unit's efficiency (HSPF/SEER).
How to cut the cost
- 1
Avoid the 'emergency' / aux heat
Backup electric-resistance heat is what makes a heat-pump bill spike. Let the heat pump do the work; only fall back to aux in real cold, and don't leave it on 'emergency heat' by accident.
- 2
Set it and leave it
Heat pumps run most efficiently at a steady temperature. Big setbacks force the aux heat to catch up, which can cost more than it saves — unlike a furnace.
- 3
Keep filters and coils clean
A dirty filter or coil makes the unit run longer for the same comfort. Check the filter monthly in peak season.
- 4
Mind the cold-weather floor
Standard heat pumps lose efficiency as it gets very cold. If you're in a cold climate, a cold-climate (hyper-heat) model holds up far better.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to run a heat pump per month?
- Very roughly $80–$200 a month in a heating or cooling season for a typical home, depending on climate, size, and your rate — less in mild weather, more in extreme cold. Use the calculator with your real daily kWh for a closer figure.
- Is a heat pump cheaper than a furnace or electric heat?
- Almost always cheaper than electric-resistance heat (baseboard/furnace) because it moves heat instead of generating it — often 2–3× more efficient. Versus gas, it depends on local gas vs. electricity prices.
- Why is my heat pump bill so high in winter?
- Usually the backup electric-resistance ('aux' or 'emergency') heat. It runs when the heat pump can't keep up in cold weather, and it uses a lot of power. Big thermostat setbacks can trigger it unnecessarily.
- Does a heat pump use more energy than an AC?
- For cooling, a heat pump and a central AC of the same size use about the same. The difference is the heat pump also heats — which adds the winter load.
Hiring out the wiring?
Before you pay anyone to touch your panel or wiring, make sure they're actually licensed. You can check a contractor's license on StateCreds — our sister site.
Verify a contractor's license by state →If your bill jumped more than your usage explains, your rate may have risen too.