Heat Pump running cost, by state
A heat pump drawing 2400W costs about $969 a year at the US average electricity rate — but that average hides a fourfold spread. Pick your state for a real figure.
At the US average rate
2400W at a 60% duty cycle, 10 hours a day, at 18.44¢/kWh.
About this appliance
A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, delivering two to four units of heat per unit of electricity. In cold snaps below its balance point it falls back on resistance backup strips, which draw far more - this is why heat pump bills spike in extreme cold rather than scaling smoothly.
- Nameplate wattage is not running cost. This heat pump draws about 2400W when active, but cycles roughly 60% of the time it is switched on, so effective consumption is near 1440W.
- At typical use this is a major load - around 5,256 kWh a year. Efficiency upgrades here pay back faster than on any small appliance.
- Models vary widely, from about 1500W to 4000W. Check the nameplate on your own unit rather than assuming an average, because the spread is more than 2x.
- Insulation and air sealing reduce runtime, which lowers cost more reliably than adjusting the thermostat by a degree.
- If your utility offers time-of-use pricing, shifting this load off-peak can cut its cost substantially without using any less energy.
Annual cost in every state
Sorted cheapest first. Click any state for the full calculation with that state’s rate loaded.
| State | Rate /kWh | Per month | Per year | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.35¢ | $54.13 | $649 | |
| Utah | 12.96¢ | $56.81 | $681 | |
| Oklahoma | 13.38¢ | $58.65 | $703 | |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ | $59.57 | $714 | |
| Nevada | 13.60¢ | $59.61 | $715 | |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ | $59.66 | $715 | |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ | $59.96 | $719 | |
| New Mexico | 14.12¢ | $61.89 | $742 | |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ | $61.98 | $743 | |
| Louisiana | 14.15¢ | $62.02 | $744 | |
| Arkansas | 14.36¢ | $62.95 | $755 | |
| Tennessee | 14.47¢ | $63.43 | $761 | |
| Montana | 14.67¢ | $64.30 | $771 | |
| Wyoming | 14.80¢ | $64.87 | $778 | |
| Washington | 14.95¢ | $65.53 | $786 | |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ | $65.66 | $787 | |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ | $66.14 | $793 | |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ | $66.32 | $795 | |
| Florida | 15.17¢ | $66.50 | $797 | |
| Arizona | 15.23¢ | $66.76 | $800 | |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ | $68.95 | $827 | |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ | $69.43 | $833 | |
| Colorado | 16.16¢ | $70.84 | $849 | |
| Mississippi | 16.16¢ | $70.84 | $849 | |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ | $70.92 | $850 | |
| Oregon | 16.27¢ | $71.32 | $855 | |
| Texas | 16.44¢ | $72.06 | $864 | |
| Alabama | 16.77¢ | $73.51 | $881 | |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ | $73.64 | $883 | |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ | $74.30 | $891 | |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ | $77.19 | $926 | |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ | $79.56 | $954 | |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ | $84.95 | $1,019 | |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ | $85.56 | $1,026 | |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ | $86.53 | $1,038 | |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ | $94.46 | $1,133 | |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ | $95.43 | $1,144 | |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ | $96.48 | $1,157 | |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ | $102 | $1,223 | |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ | $105 | $1,254 | |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ | $109 | $1,308 | |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ | $111 | $1,335 | |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ | $120 | $1,436 | |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ | $120 | $1,439 | |
| Alaska | 28.23¢ | $124 | $1,484 | |
| Maine | 28.63¢ | $125 | $1,505 | |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ | $126 | $1,515 | |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ | $129 | $1,548 | |
| New York | 29.93¢ | $131 | $1,573 | |
| California | 33.25¢ | $146 | $1,748 | |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ | $228 | $2,733 |
Common questions
How many watts does a heat pump use?
A typical heat pump draws about 2400 watts while running, with most models falling between 1500W and 4000W. Check the nameplate label or manual for your specific unit - the range is wide enough that averages can mislead.
How much electricity does a heat pump use per day?
At around 10 hours of use a day and a 60% duty cycle, that works out to roughly 14.4 kWh per day, or about 432 kWh a month. Your actual figure depends on your usage and model.
Why does the cost differ so much between states?
Residential electricity rates across the US range from about 12.35 cents per kWh in North Dakota to 46.62 cents in Hawaii - nearly a fourfold difference. The same heat pump, used identically, therefore costs almost four times as much to run in the most expensive state as in the cheapest.
Is it cheaper to run a heat pump at night?
Only if you are on a time-of-use or variable tariff. On a flat rate, the time of day makes no difference to cost. If you are on time-of-use pricing, off-peak hours are typically materially cheaper, and shifting this load can reduce its cost without reducing usage.