Heat Pump Savings Calculator in Virginia
Compare heat pump and furnace heating costs in Virginia. Uses local climate data (4200 HDD), electricity rates, and fuel prices for accurate savings estimates.
Data last updated July 2026. Sources & methodology
What Virginia Residents Should Know
Virginia falls in IECC climate zone 4A with 4,200 heating degree days per year — below the national average. Modern cold-climate heat pumps achieve an average COP of 2.8 in Virginia's conditions, making them competitive with gas furnaces for most of the heating season.
With natural gas at $1.20 per therm in Virginia, 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 Virginia's 1,400 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 Virginia.
Virginia residents can access up to $400 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
$0.136/kWh
Avg. monthly bill: $143
Regular Gas Price
$3.10/gal
Natural gas: $1.20/therm
Heating Degree Days
4,200
Cooling: 1,400 CDD
TOU Peak Rate
$0.210/kWh
Off-peak: $0.080/kWh
Incentives in Virginia
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. |
| Dominion Energy Virginia Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate | rebate | $400 | Rebate of $250 (40-59 gal) or $400 (60+ gal) for a qualifying ENERGY STAR heat-pump water heater replacing an electric unit. Dominion residential customers. |
Heat Pump Savings in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
- Are heat pumps worth it in Virginia?
- In Virginia, 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 Virginia's climate?
- Virginia sits in IECC climate zone 4A with about 4,200 heating degree days per year. Modern heat pumps there average a heating COP of 2.8, meaning they deliver 2.8 units of heat per unit of electricity.
- Are there heat pump rebates in Virginia?
- Yes. Virginia residents can access Dominion Energy Virginia Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate, worth up to $400. 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 Virginia data to see your personalized results.
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