Heat Pump Installation Cost: $4,236 to $7,942 by Size (2026)
A heat pump costs $4,236 to $7,942 installed in HomeAdvisor's 2026 data, an average of $6,087.
HomeGuide prices an air-source system higher, at $10,000 to $25,000+. The federal tax credit ended for heat pumps installed after 2025.
Key numbers
- $4,236 to $7,942Heat pump installed (typical)HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026
- $10,000 to $25,000 or moreAir-source heat pumpHomeGuide, Oct 2025
- $1,300 to $8,000Ductless mini splitHomeAdvisor, Jun 2026
Replacing a furnace or AC and pricing a heat pump? Call the heating and AC line with the square footage and whether you have ducts.
| System | Published price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump installed (typical) | $4,236 to $7,942; average $6,087; can run upwards of $12,000 | HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026 |
| Air-source heat pump | $4,500 to $8,000 (without ductwork) | HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026 |
| Air-source heat pump | $10,000 to $25,000 or more | HomeGuide, Oct 2025 |
| Ductless mini split | $1,300 to $8,000 | HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026 |
| Ductless mini split | $2,000 to $17,000 or more | HomeGuide, Oct 2025 |
| Dual fuel (heat pump plus gas furnace) | $2,500 to $10,000 or more | HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026 |
| Geothermal | $6,000 to $20,000 (HomeAdvisor); $20,000 to $50,000 or more (HomeGuide) | HomeAdvisor, Jun 2026; HomeGuide, Oct 2025 |
Installed prices. The two guides are far apart; HomeAdvisor's figures assume working ducts and air handler. Get two quotes on the same equipment.
Heat pump installation cost is the installed price of an electric system that heats and cools by moving heat between indoors and outdoors. HomeAdvisor's 2026 average is $6,087.
How much is a heat pump? Installed cost in 2026
A heat pump costs $4,236 to $7,942 installed in HomeAdvisor's 2026 data, an average of $6,087, and can run upwards of $12,000, assuming the air handler and ducts are in working order. HomeGuide prices much higher: $10,000 to $25,000 or more for an air-source system. The gap is mostly scope. HomeAdvisor's range assumes a working air handler and ducts; HomeGuide's line items add an air handler at $1,500 to $3,400 or more, a panel upgrade and site work. Ask each quote to list what is included.
Heat pump cost by size
A 3-ton heat pump, the most common size, costs $3,900 to $6,200 installed in HomeAdvisor's figures, while HomeGuide puts a 3-ton system for a 2,000 square foot home at $10,000 to $20,000 or more.
| Size | HomeAdvisor (Jun 2026) | HomeGuide by home size (Oct 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 tons | $3,500 to $5,500 | 1,000 sq ft (1.5 to 2 tons): $6,000 to $8,500+ |
| 2.5 tons | $3,700 to $5,800 | 1,500 sq ft (2.5 tons): $8,000 to $10,500+ |
| 3 tons | $3,900 to $6,200 | 2,000 sq ft (3 tons): $10,000 to $20,000+ |
| 4 tons | $4,000 to $7,300 | 2,500 sq ft (3.5 to 4 tons): $12,000 to $22,000+ |
| 5 tons | $4,500 to $8,800 | 3,000 sq ft (4 to 5 tons): $18,000 to $25,000+ |
Size should come from a load calculation (Manual J), not square footage alone.
Heat pump replacement cost: what else goes on the bill
- Ductwork: HomeAdvisor puts new ducts at $3,000 to $7,500 for about 300 linear feet; HomeGuide at $40 to $65 per linear foot.
- Electrical panel upgrade: $1,800 to $2,500 if the panel cannot carry the load (HomeGuide). See electrical panel upgrade and the electrician license table.
- Air handler: $1,500 to $3,400 or more (HomeGuide).
- Permit: $50 to $300 (HomeAdvisor and HomeGuide).
- Old equipment removal: $200 to $500 (HomeGuide).
- Labor: $75 to $125 an hour (HomeAdvisor) or $80 to $200 or more (HomeGuide).
Heat pump vs AC: what is the difference in cost
A heat pump is an air conditioner that also runs in reverse to heat, and ENERGY STAR says it can be a drop-in replacement when a central AC or furnace needs replacing. HomeAdvisor's 2026 HVAC guide puts AC installation at $3,800 to $7,500, close to its $4,236 to $7,942 heat pump range. ENERGY STAR says a heat pump can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electricity it uses, and that keeping your furnace as backup (dual fuel) costs modestly more than an AC system. Compare with AC replacement cost and furnace replacement cost.
Cold climate heat pumps
ENERGY STAR certification tests heat pump performance down to 5 degrees F, and ENERGY STAR says cold climate models keep working below 5 F, though pairing one with backup heat is most efficient when it gets colder. For cold winters, ask the installer what the unit's rated performance is at 5 F and what backup heat will run below that. HomeAdvisor lists a dual-fuel system (heat pump plus gas furnace) at $2,500 to $10,000 or more.
Heat pump tax credit and rebates in 2026
There is no federal tax credit for a heat pump installed in 2026. The IRS says the 25C credit, which allowed up to $2,000 a year for heat pumps, is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Some cost guides and the ENERGY STAR product page still describe the credit; the IRS rule controls. What is left comes from states and utilities:
| Program | 2026 status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Federal 25C tax credit | Ended. Not allowed for heat pumps placed in service after Dec 31, 2025. | IRS |
| DOE Home Energy Rebates (HEEHR) | Up to $14,000 per household for electric upgrades, in select states. Contact your state energy office. | DOE, Jul 2026 |
| Colorado Heat Pump Tax Credit | 2026: $1,000 credit for air-source, with at least $333 passed to you as a discount on the invoice. Registered contractor required. | Colorado Energy Office |
| Colorado HEAR rebate | Single-family program closed (up to $8,000 for a cold climate heat pump when open). | Colorado Energy Office, Aug 2026 |
| California HEEHRA rebate | Single-family rebates fully reserved statewide as of Feb 24, 2026, with a waitlist. Up to $8,000 or $4,000 by income. | California Energy Commission |
| Utility rebates | Ask your electric utility. HomeGuide puts typical utility rebates at $500 to $2,000. | HomeGuide, Oct 2025 |
Programs open and close; check the agency page before you sign. Rebates usually need a reservation or a registered contractor before installation.
California's energy commission says only TECH-certified, HEEHRA-trained contractors provide its rebates, that you need an approved reservation before buying equipment, and not to share financial details with anyone offering to file rebates for you.
How long does a heat pump last
A heat pump lasts 12 to 20 years with proper installation and upkeep, according to HomeAdvisor, which suggests considering replacement past 10 years. HomeGuide says most last 10 to 15 years, or 15 to 20 with regular professional maintenance. Geothermal ground loops last 40 to 60 years (HomeGuide). If yours is younger and has one failed part, see heat pump repair first.
Want a heat pump quote that names the size, the efficiency and any rebate paperwork? Call the heating and AC line.
Heat pump installation near me: what to ask
- How did you size it? Ask for a Manual J load calculation.
- What is the cold weather rating and what backup heat will run below it?
- What is included? Air handler, line set, pad, thermostat, electrical work, permit and removal.
- Are you registered for the rebate? Colorado's credit and California's rebates go through registered or certified contractors only.
- License: in California the class is C-20 (CSLB). The HVAC license table covers six states.
For single rooms or homes without ducts, see mini split installation. Water heating can go electric too: water heater replacement cost covers heat pump water heaters. Heat pumps are one line in home repair costs. Calls go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job. How calls work.
More heating and cooling guides
More guides on this
- Furnace tune-up and maintenance cost
- Boiler service and annual maintenance
- Heat pump maintenance, defrost and emergency heat
- Mini split repair cost and error lights
- Cracked heat exchanger: CO risk and replacement cost
- Thermostat replacement and smart thermostat install cost
- Ductwork replacement, repair and sealing cost
- Furnace short cycling, noises and burning smells
- Commercial HVAC maintenance plans and cost
- Heat pump rebates by state and utility (2026)
- Furnace error codes and blinking lights by brand
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to install a heat pump?
HomeAdvisor's 2026 range is $4,236 to $7,942, an average of $6,087, assuming working ducts. HomeGuide puts an air-source system at $10,000 to $25,000 or more.
How much does a 3 ton heat pump cost?
HomeAdvisor puts a 3-ton heat pump at $3,900 to $6,200 installed. HomeGuide puts a 3-ton system for a 2,000 square foot home at $10,000 to $20,000 or more.
Is there a tax credit for heat pumps in 2026?
No federal credit. The IRS says the 25C credit is not allowed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Colorado's 2026 state credit is $1,000 for air-source units, applied through registered contractors.
Is a heat pump more expensive than an AC?
Close. HomeAdvisor's 2026 figures put AC installation at $3,800 to $7,500 and a heat pump at $4,236 to $7,942. ENERGY STAR says a heat pump can replace a central AC directly.
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
ENERGY STAR tests certified units down to 5 degrees F and says cold climate models keep working below that, with backup heat most efficient in colder weather.
How long does a heat pump last?
HomeAdvisor says 12 to 20 years with proper upkeep. HomeGuide says 10 to 15 years, or 15 to 20 with regular maintenance.
How much is a heat pump?
Installed, HomeAdvisor's 2026 data puts a heat pump at $4,236 to $7,942, an average of $6,087, assuming working ducts and an air handler. HomeGuide's air-source range is $10,000 to $25,000 or more. A ductless mini split runs $1,300 to $8,000 in HomeAdvisor's figures.
Pricing a heat pump? Call the heating and AC line with the square footage, what heats the house now, and whether it has ducts.
- 1Call the line
- 2It rings a local company
- 3They give you the price
Before you book
- License numberAsk for it, then check it with the state board.
- Written priceGet the visit fee and the job price in writing before work starts.
- Proof of insuranceAsk for the certificate, especially for roof, tree and electrical work.
Sources (10)
- HomeAdvisor: How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost in 2026? (2026-06-19)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost? (2026) (2025-10-30)
- HomeAdvisor: How Much Does HVAC Repair Cost in 2026? (2026-06-19)
- ENERGY STAR: Air-Source Heat Pumps (checked 2026-10-11)
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (2026-04-28)
- IRS: FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D and others under Public Law 119-21 (FS-2025-05) (2025-08-21)
- DOE: Home Energy Rebates Program (2026-07-08)
- Colorado Energy Office: Colorado Heat Pump Tax Credits (checked 2026-10-11)
- Colorado Energy Office: Colorado Home Energy Rebate Program (2026-08)
- California Energy Commission: Inflation Reduction Act Residential Energy Rebate Programs (2026-02-24)
Talk to an HVAC tech who serves your area
Have the address, the system type (furnace, boiler, heat pump or central air), the brand and age if you know them, and what it is doing. The company will quote its service call fee before anyone is sent.
Free call to an independent company in your area that takes this kind of work.