Heat pump installation cost
Compare a cited central-system benchmark with complete local bids. The calculator does not infer equipment size or invent a ductless or geothermal benchmark.
Free homeowner planning tools
Heat Pump Calculator for Cost & Savings
Compare installed quotes, annual heat pump operating cost, and possible savings using your actual fuel use, rates, equipment efficiency, and seasonal COP.
Project cost analysis
Gas or oil comparison
Sources and formulas shown
Negative savings allowed
Heat pump project-cost calculator
Compare a national research benchmark with actual installed quotes. The benchmark is shown in 2022 dollars because the underlying federal-lab study does not claim to predict current local bids.
1. Research benchmark
Use the capacity from a proposal or load calculation. This tool does not infer equipment size from square footage.
3 tons
One ton equals 12,000 Btu/h. Use the capacity listed by the contractor; require a Manual J load calculation before selecting equipment.
3-ton national research benchmark$9,500 (2022 USD)
Based on the NREL/LBNL equation for a SEER 15, HSPF 9.0 air-source heat pump. Local labor, equipment, permits, ducts, electrical work, and market conditions can move a quote materially above or below it.
Formula: $3,907.01 + ($155.17 × capacity in kBtu/h). The displayed result is rounded to the nearest $100.
Heat pump heating-savings calculator
Convert your actual annual heating-fuel use into delivered heat, then estimate the electricity a heat pump would need at the seasonal COP you enter. The result is allowed to show higher costs.
Ready to compare itemized estimates?
The calculators are free and ungated. Share your contact information only if you want help finding an installer or understanding project options.
One tool, two calculations
What this heat pump calculator compares
Use the project-cost tab for installed quotes and confirmed incentives. Use the heating-savings tab for annual operating-cost comparisons with natural gas, heating oil, propane, or electric resistance.
Heat pump operating cost
Estimate annual heating electricity from the fuel use, current-system efficiency, seasonal COP, heat-pump share, and utility rates you enter.
Heat pump savings
Compare the proposed heating expense with your current fuel expense. The result can show savings, break-even, or a cost increase.
Transparent by design
How the heating-cost estimate works
This is a bill-based planning calculation, not a whole-building simulation. It follows the DOE-hosted method for converting historic fuel use into annual delivered heat and estimating heat-pump electricity from seasonal COP.
- 1
Start with annual heating use
Use 12 months of space-heating consumption from utility or fuel-delivery records. Separate water heating, cooking, and other non-heating use when possible.
- 2
Convert fuel to delivered heat
Fuel use is multiplied by its EIA heat-content factor and the current furnace, boiler, or resistance-heating efficiency you enter.
- 3
Estimate heat-pump electricity
The delivered heating load assigned to the heat pump is divided by 3,412 Btu per kWh and the seasonal COP you enter.
- 4
Compare variable energy costs
The result compares current heating-fuel cost with heat-pump electricity plus any remaining fuel use. It can show savings or an increase.
Annual delivered heat = annual fuel use × Btu per unit × current-system efficiency.
Heat-pump electricity = delivered heat × heat-pump share ÷ (3,412 Btu/kWh × seasonal COP).
Proposed heating cost = heat-pump kWh × electricity rate + remaining current-fuel cost.
What this calculator does not claim
- Not equipment sizing: Require a room-by-room ACCA Manual J load calculation and Manual S equipment selection.
- Not a quote: The cost benchmark is a national research reference in 2022 dollars, not a prediction of a 2026 local bid.
- Not incentive approval: Only the relevant program administrator or participating contractor can confirm eligibility.
- Not a savings promise: Weather, controls, backup heat, ducts, maintenance, fixed charges, and future rates can change the result.
Primary sources
Assumptions reviewed 2026-07-21. We link to the underlying methodology so you can audit the calculation.
- NREL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Heat Pumps for All? — central air-source heat-pump installed-cost regression and cost limitations.
- DOE Building Science Education Solution Center, System Design with Existing Heating — annual heat-load and heat-pump operating-cost method.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration energy conversion factors — Btu content for electricity, natural gas, heating oil, and propane.
- ACCA Manual J residential load calculation — the recognized residential HVAC load-calculation standard.
Heat pump calculator questions
Can this calculate heat pump cost from square footage?
No. Square footage does not establish the heating and cooling loads or the installation scope. Use the capacity from a contractor proposal or room-by-room load calculation, then compare complete local bids.
Can I compare a heat pump with gas or oil?
Yes. Select natural gas or heating oil, then enter annual space-heating use, the current fuel price, current-system efficiency, electricity rate, seasonal COP, and the heat-pump share.
Does a positive result guarantee savings?
No. Weather, controls, backup heat, distribution losses, maintenance, fixed utility charges, and future rates can change the result. Treat it as a transparent planning estimate, not a promise.