Heating · US average
How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heat Pump?
The short answer
A typical 3,000W heat pump costs about $0.55 per hour to run at the US average electricity rate, or $134 a month at 8 hours a day.
Based on the US average residential rate of 18.3¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026). Costs range from $92.87/month in Louisiana to $350/month in Hawaii — pick your state below for an exact figure.
Source: U.S. EIA, July 2026 data · Updated
Heat Pump running cost at the US average rate
| Daily use | kWh/month | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour/day | 91.3 | $0.55 | $16.71 | $200 |
| 2 hours/day | 182.5 | $1.10 | $33.42 | $401 |
| 4 hours/day | 365.0 | $2.20 | $66.84 | $802 |
| 8 hours/day | 730.1 | $4.39 | $134 | $1,604 |
| 12 hours/day | 1,095.1 | $6.59 | $201 | $2,406 |
| 24 hours/day | 2,190.2 | $13.18 | $401 | $4,812 |
Cost to run a heat pump in every state
At 8 hours a day and each state’s average residential rate. Select a state for its full breakdown.
| Alabama | 16.4¢ | $0.49 | $120 | $1,437 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 28.8¢ | $0.86 | $210 | $2,526 |
| Arizona | 15.4¢ | $0.46 | $112 | $1,347 |
| Arkansas | 14.3¢ | $0.43 | $105 | $1,255 |
| California | 33.6¢ | $1.01 | $245 | $2,944 |
| Colorado | 17.0¢ | $0.51 | $124 | $1,489 |
| Connecticut | 24.2¢ | $0.72 | $176 | $2,116 |
| Delaware | 18.5¢ | $0.55 | $135 | $1,619 |
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $0.76 | $184 | $2,208 |
| Florida | 15.0¢ | $0.45 | $110 | $1,317 |
| Georgia | 16.3¢ | $0.49 | $119 | $1,425 |
| Hawaii | 48.0¢ | $1.44 | $350 | $4,205 |
| Idaho | 13.7¢ | $0.41 | $100 | $1,203 |
| Illinois | 19.2¢ | $0.58 | $140 | $1,684 |
| Indiana | 16.7¢ | $0.50 | $122 | $1,466 |
| Iowa | 16.0¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,401 |
| Kansas | 15.3¢ | $0.46 | $111 | $1,338 |
| Kentucky | 13.8¢ | $0.41 | $101 | $1,210 |
| Louisiana | 12.7¢ | $0.38 | $92.87 | $1,114 |
| Maine | 32.4¢ | $0.97 | $237 | $2,839 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $0.64 | $156 | $1,876 |
| Massachusetts | 30.5¢ | $0.91 | $223 | $2,671 |
| Michigan | 23.1¢ | $0.69 | $168 | $2,019 |
| Minnesota | 17.5¢ | $0.52 | $127 | $1,529 |
| Mississippi | 14.5¢ | $0.44 | $106 | $1,274 |
| Missouri | 16.1¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,409 |
| Montana | 15.0¢ | $0.45 | $109 | $1,313 |
| Nebraska | 13.8¢ | $0.41 | $101 | $1,207 |
| Nevada | 12.8¢ | $0.38 | $93.23 | $1,119 |
| New Hampshire | 26.6¢ | $0.80 | $194 | $2,330 |
| New Jersey | 25.2¢ | $0.76 | $184 | $2,207 |
| New Mexico | 16.1¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,409 |
| New York | 29.9¢ | $0.90 | $218 | $2,619 |
| North Carolina | 15.2¢ | $0.45 | $111 | $1,328 |
| North Dakota | 13.4¢ | $0.40 | $97.90 | $1,175 |
| Ohio | 19.5¢ | $0.58 | $142 | $1,704 |
| Oklahoma | 14.4¢ | $0.43 | $105 | $1,257 |
| Oregon | 16.0¢ | $0.48 | $117 | $1,399 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.7¢ | $0.65 | $159 | $1,903 |
| Rhode Island | 28.3¢ | $0.85 | $207 | $2,478 |
| South Carolina | 15.5¢ | $0.46 | $113 | $1,355 |
| South Dakota | 15.4¢ | $0.46 | $112 | $1,346 |
| Tennessee | 13.7¢ | $0.41 | $100 | $1,201 |
| Texas | 15.9¢ | $0.48 | $116 | $1,391 |
| Utah | 13.1¢ | $0.39 | $95.79 | $1,149 |
| Vermont | 23.8¢ | $0.71 | $173 | $2,081 |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $0.53 | $128 | $1,537 |
| Washington | 14.7¢ | $0.44 | $107 | $1,289 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $0.47 | $115 | $1,382 |
| Wisconsin | 19.1¢ | $0.57 | $139 | $1,670 |
| Wyoming | 14.4¢ | $0.43 | $105 | $1,258 |
How much electricity does a heat pump use?
A central heat pump typically draws 1.5–5 kW while running, but moves 2–4 times that much heat into your home.
Heat pumps don't make heat — they move it from the outside air into your home (or the reverse in summer). That is why a heat pump drawing 3,000W can deliver 6,000–12,000W of heat, depending on outdoor temperature. Our estimate uses the electrical draw of the outdoor unit and air handler while the system is running; enter the number of hours per day the system actually runs, not the hours you are home. On very cold days the backup electric resistance strips can switch on and roughly double the draw, so winter bills in cold states can run higher than this estimate.
Ways to cut the cost
- Avoid big thermostat setbacks in winter — recovering from a deep setback can trigger expensive backup heat strips.
- Clean or replace the air filter every 1–3 months to keep airflow and efficiency up.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, leaves and plants.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heat pump per month?
At 8 hours a day, a typical heat pump costs about $134 a month at the US average rate of 18.3¢/kWh. Depending on your state, the same usage costs between $92.87 and $350.
How many watts does a heat pump use?
Heat pumps typically draw 1,500W–5,000W, with 3,000W a common figure. A central heat pump typically draws 1.5–5 kW while running, but moves 2–4 times that much heat into your home.
Which state is cheapest to run a heat pump in?
Louisiana is currently the cheapest at about $1,114 a year for typical use, and Hawaii the most expensive at about $4,205 a year.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than a space heater?
Per unit of heat, yes — usually 2–4 times cheaper, because a heat pump moves heat instead of making it. A space heater only wins if you need to heat one small room for a short time.
Related appliances
Comparisons
Sources & method
- Electricity rates: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly — average residential retail price, July 2026 (latest available). Retrieved .
- CO₂: EIA State Electricity Profiles, 2024 emissions rate of in-state power generation.
- Formulas, duty cycles and limitations: methodology. Data download: open data (CC BY 4.0).