Heat pump cost by size
| Size | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1.5 tons | $4,410-$7,080 |
| 2 tons | $5,120-$8,370 |
| 2.5 tons | $5,840-$9,670 |
| 3 tons | $6,550-$10,960 |
| 3.5 tons | $7,270-$12,260 |
| 4 tons | $7,990-$13,560 |
| 5 tons | $9,420-$16,150 |
Installed: Air-source heat pump, ducted
Heat pump cost by material or type
| Type | Unit | Materials | Installed | Typical job | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air-source heat pump, ducted | at 3 tons | $4,310-$8,050 | $6,550-$10,960 | $6,550-$10,960 | 12-15 years |
| Cold-climate heat pump, ducted | at 3 tons | $5,980-$11,620 | $8,610-$15,040 | $8,610-$15,040 | 12-15 years |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | at 1.5 tons | $1,670-$2,990 | $3,150-$4,910 | $3,150-$4,910 | 15-20 years |
| Ductless multi-zone (3 heads) | at 3 tons | $3,220-$7,240 | $6,250-$11,180 | $6,250-$11,180 | 15-20 years |
| Geothermal (ground-source) with loop | at 3 tons | $15,520-$25,760 | $20,260-$31,920 | $20,260-$31,920 | 20-25 years |
Materials include waste and contractor markup. 3-ton system
Add-ons and extra work
| Addon | Unit | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| New or extended ductwork | job | $4,160-$7,070 |
| Electrical panel upgrade (200 A) | job | $2,180-$3,430 |
Installed price per unit
Labor rates
| Trade | Median pay | Billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $29.33/hr | $59-$76/hr |
| Electricians | $30.38/hr | $61-$79/hr |
Median pay: BLS May 2025. Billed rate: what a contractor charges per worker-hour, estimated at 2.0 to 2.6 times pay (insurance, payroll taxes, overhead, profit).
Permits for this kind of job typically run $70-$166 in the cities we checked (35 cities). Your city may differ. Shown separately from the price range.
System size (tons) and cost by home size
| Home size (sq ft) | Climate zone 2 | Climate zone 4 | Climate zone 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 3 tons, $6,550-$10,960 | 4 tons, $7,990-$13,560 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 |
| 1500 | 4.5 tons, $8,700-$14,850 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 |
| 2000 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 |
| 2500 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 |
| 3000 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 | 5 tons, $9,420-$16,150 |
Heating need by climate zone
| Zone | BTU per sq ft |
|---|---|
| 1 | 30-35 |
| 2 | 35-40 |
| 3 | 40-45 |
| 4 | 45-50 |
| 5 | 50-60 |
| 6 | 55-60 |
| 7 | 60-65 |
Yearly heating cost: heat pump vs furnace
| System | Yearly heating | Monthly in winter |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump, 7.5 HSPF2 (minimum) | $1,154 | $231 |
| Heat pump, 9 HSPF2 | $962 | $192 |
| Gas furnace, 80% AFUE | $999 | $200 |
| Gas furnace, 95% AFUE | $841 | $168 |
| Electric furnace | $2,537 | $507 |
NumeralQ calculation; EIA prices
Efficiency tier and installed price (3-ton heat pump)
| Tier | Price vs base |
|---|---|
| 14.3-15.2 SEER2 (federal minimum) | base |
| 16-17 SEER2 | +10% to +20% |
| 18-19 SEER2 (variable speed) | +25% to +40% |
| 20+ SEER2 | +45% to +70% |
NumeralQ estimate from Fixr's installed price by SEER2 band and Home Depot equipment prices by SEER2
Federal tax credits
| Credit | Status |
|---|---|
| Energy efficient home improvement credit (25C): heat pumps, AC, furnaces, windows, insulation | Ended. Not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. |
| Residential clean energy credit (25D): solar, batteries, geothermal | Ended. Not allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025. |
Many competitor pages still show prices 'after the 30% tax credit'. That credit is gone for 2026 projects.
Cold-climate heat pumps hold most of their heating output down to about 5 F. In zones 6 and 7, size for the heating load and keep a backup heat source.
Some states run federally funded Home Energy Rebates (HEAR and HOMES) for heat pumps, insulation and electrical upgrades. Which states are open changes month to month, and a May 2026 DOE notice removed the fuel-switching allowance. Link each state page to the state energy office rather than stating amounts.
Lifespan and upkeep by material
| Material | Lifespan | Upkeep | Every | Upkeep per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat pump | 10-15 years | Yearly tune-up (twice a year in mixed climates) | 1 years | $150-$300 |
Lifespans: InterNACHI and manufacturer data. Upkeep costs: NumeralQ estimates.
Heat pump cost by state
| State | Typical job | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,090-$10,360 | -6% |
| Alaska | $7,160-$11,750 | +8% |
| Arizona | $6,490-$10,890 | -1% |
| Arkansas | $6,080-$10,350 | -6% |
| California | $6,980-$11,520 | +6% |
| Colorado | $6,710-$11,160 | +2% |
| Connecticut | $7,130-$11,710 | +8% |
| Delaware | $6,600-$11,030 | +1% |
| District of Columbia | $7,410-$12,080 | +11% |
| Florida | $6,390-$10,760 | -2% |
| Georgia | $6,380-$10,740 | -2% |
| Hawaii | $6,720-$11,180 | +2% |
| Idaho | $6,380-$10,740 | -2% |
| Illinois | $7,160-$11,750 | +8% |
| Indiana | $6,530-$10,940 | -0% |
| Iowa | $6,540-$10,950 | -0% |
| Kansas | $6,530-$10,940 | -0% |
| Kentucky | $6,470-$10,850 | -1% |
| Louisiana | $6,470-$10,850 | -1% |
| Maine | $6,630-$11,070 | +1% |
| Maryland | $6,890-$11,390 | +4% |
| Massachusetts | $7,150-$11,740 | +8% |
| Michigan | $6,550-$10,960 | +0% |
| Minnesota | $7,120-$11,700 | +8% |
| Mississippi | $6,100-$10,380 | -6% |
| Missouri | $6,510-$10,910 | -0% |
| Montana | $6,550-$10,960 | +0% |
| Nebraska | $6,510-$10,910 | -0% |
| Nevada | $6,540-$10,940 | -0% |
| New Hampshire | $7,030-$11,580 | +6% |
| New Jersey | $7,050-$11,610 | +7% |
| New Mexico | $6,160-$10,450 | -5% |
| New York | $7,050-$11,600 | +6% |
| North Carolina | $6,420-$10,780 | -2% |
| North Dakota | $7,050-$11,610 | +7% |
| Ohio | $6,610-$11,040 | +1% |
| Oklahoma | $6,430-$10,800 | -2% |
| Oregon | $6,620-$11,060 | +1% |
| Pennsylvania | $6,610-$11,030 | +1% |
| Rhode Island | $6,790-$11,270 | +3% |
| South Carolina | $6,390-$10,750 | -2% |
| South Dakota | $6,570-$10,980 | +0% |
| Tennessee | $6,350-$10,700 | -3% |
| Texas | $6,430-$10,810 | -2% |
| Utah | $6,470-$10,860 | -1% |
| Vermont | $6,600-$11,020 | +1% |
| Virginia | $6,510-$10,900 | -1% |
| Washington | $7,090-$11,660 | +7% |
| West Virginia | $6,110-$10,380 | -6% |
| Wisconsin | $6,580-$11,000 | +0% |
| Wyoming | $6,320-$10,660 | -3% |
3-ton system
Sources
- NumeralQ estimator (pricing as of 2026-10-26)
- Fixr cost guide, retrieved 2026-10-26
- Home Depot online prices, store 121, retrieved 2026-10-26
- This Old House cost guide, retrieved 2026-10-26
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (https://www.bls.gov/oes/)
- City permit fee schedules, retrieved October 2026 (see the permit line for this page's source)
- NumeralQ pricing model v2: materials plus local labor, methodology at /methodology
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost to Install?
System-level figures below are also planning estimates. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling from a single system, replacing the need for a separate furnace and air conditioner in most climates.
The three main system types — ductless mini-splits, central heat pumps, and cold-climate systems — vary significantly in cost and performance. Ductless mini-splits are ideal for homes without ductwork; central heat pumps work with existing forced-air systems; cold-climate models extend viable performance to -13°F and below.
Heat Pump Cost by System Type
The federal Section 25C credit is unavailable for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. State and utility incentives are separate; verify current eligibility and terms with each provider. IRS Section 25C FAQs.
Cost by Home Size
What Affects Heat Pump Installation Cost?
- System type: System type, coverage goals, equipment specifications, and installation scope are planning considerations. Compare written proposals on the same basis.
- Climate zone: Discuss low-temperature performance needs, equipment ratings, and installation scope with a qualified HVAC professional.
- Labor market: Installation costs depend on location, contractor scope, and site conditions. Compare itemized proposals for matching work.
Heat Pump vs. Gas Furnace: Total Cost Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps from Mitsubishi, Bosch, and Daikin operate efficiently down to -13°F to -22°F. In northern markets, a hybrid system — cold-climate heat pump paired with a gas furnace backup — delivers the best combination of year-round efficiency and cold-weather reliability without sacrificing comfort on the coldest days.
What SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings should I look for?
Efficiency and performance requirements depend on equipment type and applicable codes. Compare SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2 ratings with a qualified HVAC professional; equipment ratings do not make an expired federal credit available.
What is the current federal tax-credit status for heat pumps?
The federal Section 25C credit is unavailable for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. State and utility incentives are separate and may have their own eligibility rules; verify current programs with each provider. IRS Section 25C FAQs.
Source: Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Residential Heat Pump Market Assessment: 2025 Data Snapshot. NEEP says the Northeast sales figures are estimates assembled from research, interviews, and multiple sources because timely, geographically specific public sales data are lacking. Accessed October 2, 2026.
How the Heat Pump Estimate Works
The estimate uses the selected project scope, the selected material or project option, additional project details only when this service model supports an adjustment and the ZIP code to identify supported local-market context.
Only factors supported by this service model change the planning range. Other project details may help with context or follow-up without changing the estimate. NumeralQ planning estimates are not contractor quotes or records of completed transactions.