Heat Pump Savings Calculator in Illinois
Compare heat pump and furnace heating costs in Illinois. Uses local climate data (6200 HDD), electricity rates, and fuel prices for accurate savings estimates.
Data last updated July 2026. Sources & methodology
What Illinois Residents Should Know
Illinois falls in IECC climate zone 5A with 6,200 heating degree days per year — well above the national average. Illinois's cold winters mean heat pump COP averages 2.3 during the heating season. While this is lower than milder states, modern cold-climate heat pumps with inverter compressors can still deliver meaningful savings over traditional heating systems, especially when paired with a backup for the coldest days.
With natural gas at $1.10 per therm in Illinois, a gas furnace may have lower operating costs in the coldest months. However, heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in one system, which can offset the difference when you factor in AC savings. In shoulder seasons (spring and fall), a heat pump is significantly more efficient, often making the overall annual cost competitive with gas.
A heat pump also replaces your air conditioner, and Illinois's 900 cooling degree days make that dual-function value real: one system handles both seasons, so you retire a separate AC unit and its maintenance along with the furnace. For homes with an aging furnace-and-AC pair, replacing both at once is usually where a heat pump makes the strongest financial case in Illinois.
Illinois residents can access up to $2,500 in state rebates and incentives for heat pump installations. With the federal 25C credit having ended December 31, 2025, these state and utility programs are now the primary way to reduce the upfront installation cost, which typically ranges from $4,000 to $8,000 depending on system size and complexity. Run the calculator above with your home details to see your personalized payback estimate.
Avg. Electricity Rate
$0.161/kWh
Avg. monthly bill: $117
Regular Gas Price
$3.45/gal
Natural gas: $1.10/therm
Heating Degree Days
6,200
Cooling: 900 CDD
TOU Peak Rate
$0.240/kWh
Off-peak: $0.100/kWh
Incentives in Illinois
Federal clean energy tax credits ended in late 2025 under legislation passed in July 2025; they are shown below for reference since recent purchasers may still claim them. State programs are governed separately and many remain active — always verify current details with the program before purchasing.
| Incentive | Type | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Heat Pump - 25C)Ended | tax credit | 30% | Federal tax credit of 30% up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps. Ended December 31, 2025 — systems placed in service after that date do not qualify. State and utility heat pump rebates remain available in many states. |
| Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance | rebate | $2,500 | Utility rebates for heat pump installations through ComEd and Ameren territories. Up to $2,500 for qualifying installations. |
Heat Pump Savings in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
- Are heat pumps worth it in Illinois?
- In Illinois, low natural-gas prices mean a heat pump may not beat a gas furnace on heating cost alone, but its combined heating-and-cooling in one system, plus efficiency in mild months, can still make it the better long-term choice.
- Do heat pumps work in Illinois's climate?
- Illinois sits in IECC climate zone 5A with about 6,200 heating degree days per year. Modern heat pumps there average a heating COP of 2.3, meaning they deliver 2.3 units of heat per unit of electricity.
- Are there heat pump rebates in Illinois?
- Yes. Illinois residents can access Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance, worth up to $2,500. The federal 25C credit ended December 31, 2025, so these state and utility programs are now the main way to cut installation cost.
Run the Heat Pump Savings Calculator
Use our free calculator pre-filled with Illinois data to see your personalized results.
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