Heat pump cost in New Hampshire
Estimated yearly heating and cooling cost for a 2,000 sq ft New Hampshire home: $4,303 with a heat pump, $2,319 with gas heat and AC. 26.79¢ electricity makes the heat pump about $1,984 a year dearer to run in New Hampshire.
What it costs to install
National guides price a 2,000 sq ft air-source heat pump at $10,000–$20,000+ installed; we don't have New Hampshire-specific figures. The tier we'd quote first here (heating climate) is 18–19 SEER2 / 9–10 HSPF2, at $11,000–$18,000+.
Source: HomeGuide, “How much does a heat pump cost?” (2026).
Operating cost vs gas
| Heat pump heat, 7.5 / 9.5 HSPF2 | $4,215 / $3,327 |
| Heat pump cooling, 14.3 SEER2 | $89 |
| Furnace, 95% / 80% AFUE | $2,225 / $2,642 |
| AC at 13.4 SEER2 (North min) | $95 |
| Heat pump vs furnace + AC | $4,303 vs $2,319 |
Running cost penalty: $1,984 a year. The case for a heat pump here rests on replacing two systems with one.
26.79¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026 YTD); gas $1.79/therm (EIA 2025, $18.61/Mcf at 1,039 Btu/ft³). Energy only; estimates.
FAQ
What does a heat pump cost installed in New Hampshire?
National estimate: $10,000–$20,000+ for 2,000 sq ft. Local bids decide it.
What's the break-even power price in New Hampshire?
About 14.1¢/kWh for a 7.5 HSPF2 heat pump against a 95% furnace at $1.79/therm; prices would need to fall about 12.6¢ from New Hampshire's 26.79¢ average. A 9.5 HSPF2 unit would heat for $3,327 a year.
Can I still claim 25C for a heat pump?
The 25C credit ended with 2025: it applied to qualifying heat pumps placed in service through December 31, 2025 (30%, max $2,000 a year), and 2025 claims required a Qualified Manufacturer Identification Number. Nothing federal applies to a 2026 install. Source: IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.
Will a heat pump keep up in a New Hampshire winter?
Standard units lose capacity in deep cold; with 7,449 heating degree days, choose a cold-climate model or keep gas backup.
New Hampshire climate
NOAA's 1991–2020 record: 7,449 HDD and 299 CDD for New Hampshire. That means heating dominates, so winter efficiency decides the outcome. Jan's degree days imply a monthly mean near 21°F (rough approximation); standard heat pumps lose capacity in deep cold and lean on electric backup, so our HSPF2 figures are optimistic here and a cold-climate model is the safer pick.
Size for the winter load and confirm cooling isn't far oversized, or keep a furnace for the coldest days (dual fuel).
Monthly comparison
| Month | HDD | CDD | Heat pump | Furnace + AC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1374 | 0 | $777 | $410 |
| Feb | 1177 | 0 | $666 | $351 |
| Mar | 1042 | 0 | $590 | $311 |
| Apr | 651 | 0 | $368 | $194 |
| May | 322 | 5 | $183 | $98 |
| Jun | 80 | 39 | $57 | $36 |
| Jul | 20 | 138 | $52 | $50 |
| Aug | 42 | 105 | $55 | $46 |
| Sep | 181 | 13 | $106 | $58 |
| Oct | 535 | 0 | $303 | $160 |
| Nov | 840 | 0 | $475 | $251 |
| Dec | 1185 | 0 | $670 | $354 |
Nearby states
| State | Heat pump | Furnace + AC | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $4,076 | $2,669 | 19.2¢ |
| Vermont | $4,135 | $2,371 | 13.6¢ |
| New Hampshire | $4,303 | $2,319 | 14.1¢ |
| Maine | $4,993 | $2,423 | 14.3¢ |
See also: AC running cost in New Hampshire · heat pump vs gas furnace calculator · heat pump cost by state
Sources: EIA electricity and natural gas prices, NOAA nClimDiv, U.S. DOE regional standards. Model: 2,000 sq ft, average insulation; methodology.