Heat pump cost in Vermont
A furnace plus AC is roughly $1,764 a year cheaper to run in Vermont: $4,135 (heat pump) against $2,371 (furnace + AC) per year for a 2,000 sq ft house, using 23.95¢/kWh power and $1.72/therm gas.
Energy bills compared
| Heat pump heat, 7.5 / 9.5 HSPF2 | $4,076 / $3,218 |
| Heat pump cooling, 14.3 SEER2 | $59 |
| Furnace, 95% / 80% AFUE | $2,308 / $2,740 |
| AC at 13.4 SEER2 (North min) | $63 |
| Heat pump vs furnace + AC | $4,135 vs $2,371 |
Expect to pay roughly $1,764 a year more with the heat pump; it makes most sense if your AC needs replacing too.
23.95¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026 YTD); gas $1.72/therm (EIA 2025, $18.0/Mcf at 1,048 Btu/ft³). Energy only; estimates.
Winter performance
Here heating dominates, so winter efficiency decides the outcome. Jan's degree days imply a monthly mean near 18°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. The numbers behind that: 8,058 heating and 223 cooling degree days a year (NOAA nClimDiv).
Size for the winter load and confirm cooling isn't far oversized, or keep a furnace for the coldest days (dual fuel).
Upfront price
Tier to price first in Vermont: 18–19 SEER2 / 9–10 HSPF2, roughly $11,000–$18,000+ installed (national estimate). Across all efficiency levels, a 2,000 sq ft home typically runs $10,000–$20,000+. No state-specific price data exists in our sources.
Source: HomeGuide, “How much does a heat pump cost?” (2026).
Vermont by month
| Month | HDD | CDD | Heat pump | Furnace + AC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1462 | 0 | $740 | $419 |
| Feb | 1260 | 0 | $637 | $361 |
| Mar | 1124 | 0 | $568 | $322 |
| Apr | 707 | 0 | $358 | $202 |
| May | 357 | 6 | $182 | $104 |
| Jun | 106 | 26 | $61 | $38 |
| Jul | 37 | 104 | $46 | $40 |
| Aug | 64 | 78 | $53 | $40 |
| Sep | 218 | 10 | $113 | $65 |
| Oct | 576 | 0 | $291 | $165 |
| Nov | 892 | 0 | $451 | $255 |
| Dec | 1256 | 0 | $635 | $360 |
Vermont heat pump FAQ
Heat pump price in Vermont?
$10,000–$20,000+ installed for a 2,000 sq ft home, per HomeGuide's national figures.
When does a heat pump win in Vermont?
About 13.6¢/kWh for a 7.5 HSPF2 heat pump against a 95% furnace at $1.72/therm; prices would need to fall about 10.4¢ from Vermont's 23.95¢ average. A 9.5 HSPF2 unit would heat for $3,218 a year.
Does the 25C credit still apply?
No. Per the IRS, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) covered improvements made through December 31, 2025, at 30% up to $2,000 a year for heat pumps, with a QMID requirement for 2025 property. IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.
Will a heat pump keep up in a Vermont winter?
Standard units lose capacity in deep cold; with 8,058 heating degree days, choose a cold-climate model or keep gas backup.
Regional comparison
| 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¢ |
| New York | $3,925 | $1,919 | 13.4¢ |
Next: AC running cost in Vermont · 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.