Free · Job cost estimators
Heat Pump Installation Cost Estimator
Choose tonnage, efficiency, cold-climate rating, backup heat and the state of the ductwork, and get a 2026 installed price range with each cost line shown.
The house
Installed price range
$9,400 – $14,900
Midpoint
$12,200
typical quote
Per ton
$3,133 – $4,967
Typical installed ranges and what drives them: Heat Pump Installation Cost (2026) →
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What a heat pump installation costs
A ducted heat pump replaces both the air conditioner and the furnace, so the installed price is close to an AC-plus-furnace changeout: a national range for the efficiency tier at 3 tons, about $800 per ton up or down, plus 15% for cold-climate models with enhanced vapor injection. Backup heat, ductwork and electrical are shown as their own lines because they are the items that vary most from house to house.
| 3 ton, strips, average region | Standard | Mid-efficiency | High-efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard model | $7,400 – $12,400 | $9,400 – $14,900 | $12,400 – $18,900 |
| Cold-climate model | $8,450 – $14,100 | $10,750 – $17,000 | $14,200 – $21,600 |
Backup heat choices
- None. Fine in zones 1–3 where design temperatures stay above about 25°F, or with a cold-climate unit sized for the heating load.
- Electric strips. The default: cheap to install, expensive to run, and only meant for defrost and the coldest hours.
- Dual fuel. A gas furnace as the air handler. The heat pump runs until a set outdoor temperature, then gas takes over. Costs the most up front and the least to operate in cold, cheap-gas markets.
Sizing a heat pump is different
In a cold climate the heating load usually exceeds the cooling load, and a heat pump's capacity drops as it gets colder outside. Size to the heating load using the unit's rated capacity at your design temperature, not the nominal tonnage, and accept a cooling side up to 125% of the cooling load, which Manual S allows for heat pumps. The load calculator gives you both loads.
Contractors: the estimator is for phone-stage ranges. Price the actual job from your costs with the markup calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heat pump cost installed in 2026?
A ducted 3-ton heat pump runs about $7,000–$11,500 installed for standard efficiency, $9,000–$14,000 for two-stage mid-efficiency, and $12,000–$18,000 for variable-speed high-efficiency, plus $400–$900 for backup heat strips, before rebates. Cold-climate models add about 15%. Published ranges vary widely by source and region.
What rebates are available for heat pumps?
For installs in 2026, the federal 25C tax credit is gone: it ended for heat pumps installed after December 31, 2025. Utility and state rebates vary by location, and the income-qualified HEAR program provides up to $8,000 for a heat pump in states that have launched it.
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate models hold 70–100% of their rated capacity at 5°F and keep running below −15°F. They are standard equipment in Maine and Minnesota now. The keys are sizing to the heating load and choosing a unit with published low-temperature capacity, not the nominal tonnage.
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than a gas furnace?
Usually yes where electricity is under about 18 cents per kWh or gas is expensive, and always compared to electric resistance, propane or oil heat. Where gas is cheap and winters are harsh, a dual-fuel system gets the best of both.
Can I add a heat pump to my existing furnace?
Yes. That is a dual-fuel setup: the heat pump replaces the AC condenser and the furnace becomes the backup and the air handler. It is the cheapest way into a heat pump if the furnace is under ten years old, since you skip the air handler.