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Monthly cost varies by efficiency (COP 3-4), usage (avg. 8h/day), and electricity rate ($0.13/kWh average). For a 3-ton unit (36,000 BTU/hr), running costs range from $90-$120/month. Efficiency improvements (e.g., proper insulation, and regular maintenance) can reduce costs by up to 15-20%.
In this article, we will discuss how much it costs to run a heat pump per month and topics related to it in detail.
Key Factors Impacting Monthly Electricity Costs
Several things impact the actual cost of running your heat pump. Here are some key details you need to know:
Heat Pump Size
- The bigger and stronger your heat pump, the more electricity it uses
- Big central residential units can consume 4+ kW when on the highest settings
- Smaller supplementary zone heat pumps may only use 1-1.5 kW
Approximate Electricity Cost by Heat Pump Size
| Heat Pump Size | Typical Electricity Use |
|---|---|
| Small Zone Unit (9-12k BTU) | ~1-1.5 kW |
| Mid-Size Central (15-18k BTU) | ~1.5-2.5 kW |
| Large Central (20-27k+ BTU) | ~3-5+ kW |
Heating vs Cooling Operation
Image Credits: Air-conditioner by Peter Griffin is licensed under (CC 0 1.0)
- Running in heating mode takes up way more power than cooling mode.
- Heat pumps struggle in low external temperatures which increases their consumption rate.
- Surfaces activate their supplementary resistive heating elements once they get below ~35°F, bumping up costs.
- Seasonality plays a role as well (winter heating > summer cooling)
Daily Usage Time
- The longer you run your heat pump every day, the more expensive it is for you each month
- Programmable thermostats help customize your device’s schedule so it runs less
- Smart sensors make runtime match occupancy schedules
Cost Estimates for Example Usage Scenarios
The table below gives an estimate of what your electricity bill might look like under certain conditions for different types of heat pump systems. These numbers will help you create a budget that aligns with your specific setup.
Estimated Monthly Electricity Costs
| Size | Mode | Daily Run Time | Electric Rate | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Zone Heat Pump | Heating | 6 hours/day | 12¢ per kWh | $25-$35 |
| Mid-Size Central | Cooling | 10 hours/day | 7¢ per kWh | $12-$15 |
| Large Central System | Heating | 16 hours/day | 15¢ per kWh | $95-$110 |
The costs change in these scenarios because it’s assumed that the spaces being heated or cooled are well-insulated. If they aren’t, runtimes and costs will go way up.
Tips to Minimize Monthly Cost
Here are some tips for those looking to lower their bills:
- Don’t waste space by placing zone heat pumps everywhere – use one central system instead
- Save most of your cooling for when it’s more efficient
- Set programmable thermostats to limit daily runtime scaled to occupancy schedules
- Let smart sensors automatically stop running your device when unoccupied.
Reference: Thermostat, Heat Pump
Hello…I am Manjula Sivapuri. I have completed my graduation in Chemistry. Currently working as a Chemistry Subject Matter expert in LambdaGeeks. My keen interest in chemistry has brought me to this platform to share my knowledge on the subject. I hope my work will make you understand the topics well.
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