How much does a heat pump cost?
A ducted heat pump runs about $6,000 to $22,000 installed — more than an air conditioner, because it also replaces your heating. That is the trade the sticker price hides, and the running-cost column is where you get it back.
$6,000–$22,000 installed, 2026 · national typical
| System size | Installed cost | What it costs to run | Certified units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton | $7,000–$13,500 | $20.92 / MMBtu heat | 497 |
| 3 ton | $9,000–$16,000 | $20.92 / MMBtu heat | 447 |
| 4 ton | $11,000–$20,000 | $20.92 / MMBtu heat | 418 |
| 5 ton | $12,000–$22,000 | $23.25 / MMBtu heat | 65 |
| 1.5 ton | $6,000–$12,000 | $20.92 / MMBtu heat | 237 |
| 2.5 ton | $8,000–$15,000 | $21.64 / MMBtu heat | 254 |
| 3.5 ton | $10,000–$18,000 | $23.25 / MMBtu heat | 113 |
| 4.5 ton | $11,500–$21,000 | $20.92 / MMBtu heat | 292 |
Ducted air-source heat pump. Lower end ≈ base efficiency (SEER2 14–15); upper end ≈ premium / cold-climate variable-speed (SEER2 18+). Anchored to real-transaction data — EnergySage ≈ $3,800/ton ducted, Carbon Switch owner survey $8k–$20k (typical $12k–$14k).
Before you accept a quote
Two things decide whether the number you were given is fair: whether the system is sized right, and whether repairing what you have is still the better call. Both are free to check.
Check a quote against real prices → Should you replace it at all? →
We are not a contractor and we do not sell referrals. These are our own calculators, built on the same certified data as the table above.
What should this cost where you live?
Installed prices move with local labour rates. Tell us the ZIP and how old the system is, and we will show you the band to expect for a heat pump — and how far into its life yours is.
No name, no email, no phone — we do not ask for them and nobody will call you. We are not a contractor and we do not sell your details to one. This tells us which systems people are pricing and where, which is how we decide what to build next. Privacy.
What moves the price
- Efficiency tier. The biggest lever you actually control, and the one the running-cost column prices for you.
- Size. Oversizing is the most common and most expensive mistake — it short-cycles, wears out sooner and costs more up front. Work out the size you need.
- What has to change. Ductwork, electrical panel, line sets and venting are excluded from every range above; any of them can add thousands.
- Rebates. State and utility programmes cut the net cost, sometimes by thousands. See what applies where you live.
Want to see the actual equipment? Every certified heat pump, ranked — with efficiency, output and running cost for each one.
Common questions
What is the average heat pump installation cost in 2026?
Typically $6,000 to $22,000 installed for a standard like-for-like replacement using existing ductwork and electrical. That covers equipment, labour and permit. It excludes ductwork replacement, panel upgrades, long line sets and major venting changes — each of which adds cost.
Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?
Three things move the number more than brand: the efficiency tier you choose, the size the installer calculates, and whether your existing ductwork, electrical and venting can be reused. A quote far outside the band above is usually solving a different problem — ask which.
Is the more efficient system worth the extra money?
It depends entirely on how much you run it, which is why the table shows running cost beside install cost. A high-efficiency system that saves a few dollars a year takes decades to repay a $3,000 premium; one that halves a large heating bill repays it quickly.
How these numbers are built. US national typical installed price — standard like-for-like replacement using existing ductwork and electrical: equipment + labor + permit. Excludes ductwork replacement, electrical/panel upgrades, extended line sets, and major venting or condensate changes, which add cost. Ranges reconcile published 2026 market data. Real-transaction sources (EnergySage) and converging independent aggregators are trusted over lead-gen 'installed' figures that omit labor or permits — several of those ran about half of real quotes, so their under-scoped low ends are trimmed to a realistic simple-install floor. Where no tier is named, the range spans base to premium efficiency: base single-stage at the low end, premium variable-speed / cold-climate at the high end. Compiled 2026-07-16. Running cost is computed by us from certified efficiency and EIA energy prices — see methodology. We take no payment for placement and sell no leads.