Heat pump cost in 2026: what's normal, and what's not
Updated August 2026
for a ducted air-source heat pump, nationally. Cold-climate models and multi-zone ductless systems can run above this range. One heat pump replaces both your AC and most or all of your heating.
These are ballparks, not quotes. They come from federal labor statistics (BLS wage data by state) combined with typical equipment pricing, so your actual quote depends on your home, your city, and what the job includes.
What actually moves the price
Heat pump quotes vary more than furnace or AC quotes because the job itself varies more. The main levers:
- Cold-climate rating. Standard heat pumps lose capacity as it gets colder; cold-climate models hold their output well below freezing and cost more. In the northern half of the country that upgrade is usually the right call.
- Ducted vs ductless. Using your existing ducts is the base case. Ductless mini-splits price per zone, so a three-zone system is a different job than one ducted unit.
- Backup heat. Many installs pair the heat pump with electric backup strips or keep an existing furnace as backup (a dual-fuel setup). What your quote includes here moves the total meaningfully.
- Electrical capacity. Some homes need a panel upgrade or new circuits to support the system. That's legitimate work, priced separately.
- Size, from a load calculation. Same rule as any HVAC equipment: capacity should come from a Manual J load calculation, not from the old unit's sticker.
- Labor rates where you live. Regional wages commonly move installed prices by 40 to 70% between low-wage and high-wage areas, and more at the extremes.
- Rebates. Some states and utilities offer heat pump rebates. Your installer usually knows the local programs; it's worth asking before you sign.
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Heat pump cost by state
Installed ranges for a ducted air-source heat pump, adjusted for each state's labor rates (BLS wage data, HVAC and related trades). Statewide averages: large metros usually run higher.
| State | Ducted heat pump, installed |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $5,550 to $10,200 |
| Alaska | $8,900 to $16,450 |
| Arizona | $6,300 to $11,650 |
| Arkansas | $5,400 to $9,950 |
| California | $8,400 to $15,500 |
| Colorado | $6,850 to $12,600 |
| Connecticut | $7,650 to $14,150 |
| Delaware | $6,550 to $12,100 |
| Washington, DC | $9,300 to $17,150 |
| Florida | $5,700 to $10,550 |
| Georgia | $6,100 to $11,300 |
| Hawaii | $9,100 to $16,800 |
| Idaho | $6,000 to $11,050 |
| Illinois | $8,700 to $16,100 |
| Indiana | $6,450 to $11,900 |
| Iowa | $6,700 to $12,350 |
| Kansas | $6,250 to $11,500 |
| Kentucky | $5,800 to $10,700 |
| Louisiana | $5,650 to $10,450 |
| Maine | $6,250 to $11,500 |
| Maryland | $7,350 to $13,550 |
| Massachusetts | $8,450 to $15,600 |
| Michigan | $7,000 to $12,950 |
| Minnesota | $7,950 to $14,650 |
| Mississippi | $5,250 to $9,700 |
| Missouri | $6,650 to $12,250 |
| Montana | $6,200 to $11,400 |
| Nebraska | $6,450 to $11,900 |
| Nevada | $6,950 to $12,850 |
| New Hampshire | $6,750 to $12,500 |
| New Jersey | $8,500 to $15,700 |
| New Mexico | $5,900 to $10,900 |
| New York | $8,200 to $15,100 |
| North Carolina | $5,850 to $10,800 |
| North Dakota | $7,300 to $13,450 |
| Ohio | $6,900 to $12,700 |
| Oklahoma | $5,800 to $10,700 |
| Oregon | $8,250 to $15,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $6,850 to $12,600 |
| Rhode Island | $7,450 to $13,800 |
| South Carolina | $5,850 to $10,800 |
| South Dakota | $5,600 to $10,300 |
| Tennessee | $5,700 to $10,550 |
| Texas | $6,050 to $11,150 |
| Utah | $6,200 to $11,400 |
| Vermont | $6,350 to $11,750 |
| Virginia | $6,500 to $12,000 |
| Washington | $8,850 to $16,300 |
| West Virginia | $5,350 to $9,850 |
| Wisconsin | $7,150 to $13,200 |
| Wyoming | $6,500 to $12,000 |
Repair it or replace it?
Heat pumps work harder than AC units because they run year-round, and most last 10 to 16 years.
- Capacitors, fan motors, defrost controls: routine repairs, typically $150 to $700 with labor. A unit that runs but heats or cools weakly often has a fixable problem.
- A failed reversing valve or compressor on a 10+ year unit: these are the expensive components. Out of warranty, either one usually tips the math toward replacement.
- An older unit that struggles in cold snaps: may simply be a standard model doing what standard models do. If winters are the pain point, a cold-climate replacement fixes what no repair can.
Text Dun a photo of your unit's data plate and it can tell you the age, capacity, and what's typical for a system like yours.
Common questions
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate models do. Many are rated to keep meaningful heating capacity at temperatures well below zero Fahrenheit, and they are common in Maine, Minnesota, and Canada. Standard models lose capacity in deep cold, which is why the cold-climate designation matters when you compare quotes.
Can a heat pump replace both my furnace and my AC?
Yes, that is the main appeal: it cools exactly like a central AC and heats in winter. Some homes keep the existing furnace as backup for the coldest days, which is called a dual-fuel setup.
Why does a heat pump cost more than an AC?
The equipment does more (heating and cooling), cold-climate models carry a premium, and installs more often involve electrical work or backup heat integration. It costs more than an AC alone but replaces two systems.
Will a heat pump lower my energy bills?
It depends on what it replaces. Compared with electric resistance heat, oil, or propane, heating costs usually drop meaningfully. Compared with inexpensive natural gas, the result varies by region and rates, so it's worth running your own numbers rather than trusting a blanket claim.
How long do heat pumps last?
Typically 10 to 16 years, a little less than a central AC because they run in both seasons. Regular service and keeping the outdoor coil clear help.
What should be in a good heat pump quote?
The model and its cold-climate rating if you're in a cold region, the sizing basis (a load calculation), what backup heat is included, any electrical work, and the full scope with line items. Two quotes that differ by thousands are usually describing different jobs.
More cost guides
What other common jobs run, from the same data:
Cost figures are informational estimates based on public labor statistics and typical equipment pricing. They are not quotes, and Dun has not inspected your home.