Heat pump cost in Utah
Estimated yearly heating and cooling cost for a 2,000 sq ft Utah home: $2,018 with a heat pump, $1,214 with gas heat and AC. 13.16¢ electricity makes the heat pump about $804 a year dearer to run in Utah.
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 Utah-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 | $1,940 / $1,531 |
| Heat pump cooling, 14.3 SEER2 | $78 |
| Furnace, 95% / 80% AFUE | $1,130 / $1,342 |
| AC at 13.4 SEER2 (North min) | $84 |
| Heat pump vs furnace + AC | $2,018 vs $1,214 |
Running cost penalty: $804 a year. The case for a heat pump here rests on replacing two systems with one.
13.16¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026 YTD); gas $0.97/therm (EIA 2025, $10.19/Mcf at 1,049 Btu/ft³). Energy only; estimates.
FAQ
What does a heat pump cost installed in Utah?
National estimate: $10,000–$20,000+ for 2,000 sq ft. Local bids decide it.
What's the break-even power price in Utah?
About 7.7¢/kWh for a 7.5 HSPF2 heat pump against a 95% furnace at $0.97/therm; prices would need to fall about 5.5¢ from Utah's 13.16¢ average. A 9.5 HSPF2 unit would heat for $1,531 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 Utah winter?
Standard units lose capacity in deep cold; with 6,979 heating degree days, choose a cold-climate model or keep gas backup.
Utah climate
NOAA's 1991–2020 record: 6,979 HDD and 538 CDD for Utah. That means heating dominates, so winter efficiency decides the outcome. Dec's degree days imply a monthly mean near 27°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 | 1183 | 0 | $329 | $192 |
| Feb | 972 | 0 | $270 | $157 |
| Mar | 829 | 0 | $230 | $134 |
| Apr | 625 | 1 | $174 | $101 |
| May | 374 | 15 | $106 | $63 |
| Jun | 146 | 86 | $53 | $37 |
| Jul | 26 | 217 | $39 | $38 |
| Aug | 38 | 172 | $35 | $33 |
| Sep | 188 | 44 | $59 | $37 |
| Oct | 538 | 3 | $150 | $88 |
| Nov | 876 | 0 | $244 | $142 |
| Dec | 1183 | 0 | $329 | $192 |
Nearby states
| State | Heat pump | Furnace + AC | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $1,150 | $1,104 | 14.3¢ |
| Nevada | $1,311 | $1,050 | 10.0¢ |
| New Mexico | $1,589 | $885 | 7.6¢ |
| Utah | $2,018 | $1,214 | 7.7¢ |
| Wyoming | $2,466 | $1,573 | 8.8¢ |
| Idaho | $1,951 | $923 | 5.8¢ |
| Colorado | $2,551 | $1,297 | 8.3¢ |
See also: AC running cost in Utah · 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.