Heat Pump Savings Calculator in Utah
Compare heat pump and furnace heating costs in Utah. Uses local climate data (5800 HDD), electricity rates, and fuel prices for accurate savings estimates.
Data last updated July 2026. Sources & methodology
What Utah Residents Should Know
Utah falls in IECC climate zone 5-6B with 5,800 heating degree days per year — well above the national average. Utah's cold winters mean heat pump COP averages 2.4 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 $0.90 per therm in Utah, 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 Utah's 800 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 Utah.
Utah residents can access up to $3,950 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
$0.114/kWh
Avg. monthly bill: $98
Regular Gas Price
$3.15/gal
Natural gas: $0.90/therm
Heating Degree Days
5,800
Cooling: 800 CDD
TOU Peak Rate
$0.180/kWh
Off-peak: $0.070/kWh
Incentives in Utah
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. |
| Utah Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit (Geothermal) | tax credit | $2,000 | Non-refundable state income-tax credit of 25% up to $2,000 for a residential geothermal (ground-source) heat pump; expires for systems placed in service after Jan 1, 2028. |
| Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart Heat Pump Rebate | rebate | $1,600 | Up to $1,600 cash back for a qualifying air-source heat pump (up to $1,450 for dual-fuel) in an existing home. Rocky Mountain Power Utah customers. |
| Rocky Mountain Power Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate | rebate | $350 | $350 rebate for a qualifying heat-pump water heater replacing an electric or gas storage water heater. Rocky Mountain Power Utah customers. |
Heat Pump Savings in Utah: Frequently Asked Questions
- Are heat pumps worth it in Utah?
- In Utah, 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 Utah's climate?
- Utah sits in IECC climate zone 5-6B with about 5,800 heating degree days per year. Modern heat pumps there average a heating COP of 2.4, meaning they deliver 2.4 units of heat per unit of electricity.
- Are there heat pump rebates in Utah?
- Yes. Utah residents can access Utah Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit (Geothermal), Rocky Mountain Power Wattsmart Heat Pump Rebate, and Rocky Mountain Power Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate, worth up to $3,950. The federal 25C credit ended December 31, 2025, so these state and utility programs are now the main way to cut installation cost.
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