Heat pump cost in Washington
A furnace plus AC is roughly $200 a year cheaper to run in Washington: $1,735 (heat pump) against $1,535 (furnace + AC) per year for a 2,000 sq ft house, using 14.4¢/kWh power and $1.61/therm gas.
Energy bills compared
| Heat pump heat, 7.5 / 9.5 HSPF2 | $1,706 / $1,347 |
| Heat pump cooling, 14.3 SEER2 | $29 |
| Furnace, 95% / 80% AFUE | $1,504 / $1,786 |
| AC at 13.4 SEER2 (North min) | $31 |
| Heat pump vs furnace + AC | $1,735 vs $1,535 |
Expect to pay roughly $200 a year more with the heat pump; it makes most sense if your AC needs replacing too.
14.4¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026 YTD); gas $1.61/therm (EIA 2025, $17.62/Mcf at 1,096 Btu/ft³). Energy only; estimates.
Winter performance
Here heating dominates, so winter efficiency decides the outcome. Dec's degree days imply a monthly mean near 37°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: 5,610 heating and 183 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 Washington: 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).
Washington by month
| Month | HDD | CDD | Heat pump | Furnace + AC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 851 | 0 | $259 | $228 |
| Feb | 717 | 0 | $218 | $192 |
| Mar | 671 | 0 | $204 | $180 |
| Apr | 508 | 0 | $154 | $136 |
| May | 324 | 3 | $99 | $87 |
| Jun | 187 | 16 | $60 | $53 |
| Jul | 75 | 74 | $35 | $33 |
| Aug | 69 | 73 | $33 | $31 |
| Sep | 179 | 16 | $57 | $51 |
| Oct | 461 | 0 | $140 | $124 |
| Nov | 695 | 0 | $211 | $186 |
| Dec | 873 | 0 | $265 | $234 |
Washington heat pump FAQ
Heat pump price in Washington?
$10,000–$20,000+ installed for a 2,000 sq ft home, per HomeGuide's national figures.
When does a heat pump win in Washington?
About 12.7¢/kWh for a 7.5 HSPF2 heat pump against a 95% furnace at $1.61/therm; prices would need to fall about 1.7¢ from Washington's 14.4¢ average. A 9.5 HSPF2 unit would heat for $1,347 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 Washington winter?
Standard units lose capacity in deep cold; with 5,610 heating degree days, choose a cold-climate model or keep gas backup.
Regional comparison
| State | Heat pump | Furnace + AC | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $1,735 | $1,535 | 12.7¢ |
| Oregon | $1,753 | $1,408 | 12.3¢ |
| Idaho | $1,951 | $923 | 5.8¢ |
Next: AC running cost in Washington · 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.