Heat Pump Calculator
Calculate the right heat pump size for your home, estimate annual operating costs and savings compared to your current system, and find your payback period.
Reviewed May 25, 2026. JouleIO calculators are planning tools; confirm final utility rates, equipment specs, incentives, installation bids, and safety decisions with official utility, manufacturer, installer, DOE, ENERGY STAR, EPA, IRS, or EIA sources.
1. Enter real usage
Use your actual watts, runtime, home size, miles, battery size, or appliance schedule.
2. Localize the rate
Compare national assumptions with your state, utility bill, time-of-use plan, or project quote.
3. Verify before acting
Check final prices, rebates, tax rules, and safety requirements before buying or installing equipment.
Total conditioned living area
IECC climate zone
Your existing heating fuel type
Total annual spending on heating fuel
Air source is more affordable; ground source is more efficient
Cold-Climate Heat Pump COP Curves & IRA 25C Tax Credit
Evaluate coefficient of performance down to -15°F and verify eligibility for the 30% / $2,000 Inflation Reduction Act Section 25C federal energy credit.
$2,600
$11,400
Installed: $14000 − $2600 IRA tax credit.
COP 2.2
Produces 220% as much heat energy as the electricity consumed, even at 5°F!
| Outdoor Temp | Cold-Climate COP | Standard ASHP COP | Capacity Retained | Heating Behavior & Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47°F | COP 4.1 | COP 3.5 | 100% | AHRI standard mild winter rating temperature |
| 17°F | COP 2.8 | COP 2.1 | 98% | AHRI standard low-temperature test point |
| 5°F | COP 2.2 | COP 1.3 | 84% | NEEP cold-climate benchmark; standard systems engage auxiliary heat strips |
| -15°F | COP 1.8 | COP 1 | 68% | Sub-zero extreme freeze; advanced inverter compressor continues heating |
Heat Pump Source Check
Reviewed May 25, 2026This tool is a sizing and payback estimate. A final heat pump design should use a room-by-room load calculation, duct review, air-sealing check, and contractor quote because oversizing can reduce comfort and efficiency. For 2026 projects, verify any federal, state, or utility incentive separately; the calculator should still make economic sense without assuming a stale credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size heat pump do I need for my house?
Heat pump sizing depends on your home size and climate zone. A general rule is 20-60 BTU per square foot. A 2,000 sqft home in a mixed climate (Zone 4) typically needs about 70,000 BTU or roughly a 6-ton system. Oversizing reduces efficiency, so proper sizing is important.
Are heat pumps worth it in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently down to -15°F. In Zones 5-6 (cool to cold), air source heat pumps can still save 30-50% vs gas furnaces. Ground source heat pumps work well in any climate since underground temperatures stay constant year-round.
What is the difference between air source and ground source heat pumps?
Air source heat pumps extract heat from outdoor air and cost $4,500-$12,000 installed. Ground source (geothermal) heat pumps extract heat from underground and cost $18,000-$35,000 but are 30-50% more efficient and last longer (25+ years vs 15-20 years for air source).