Heat Pump vs AC Cost Comparison Calculator
Compare the annual cooling (and heating) operating costs between a heat pump and a traditional central air conditioner based on your home size, usage hours, local electricity rate, and equipment efficiency ratings.
Typical: 12,000 BTU per 500 sq ft. A 1,500 sq ft home ≈ 36,000 BTU/hr.
Hours per year the system runs in cooling mode. Warm climates: 1,500–3,000 hrs; mild: 500–1,200 hrs.
Set to 0 if comparing cooling-only. Heat pump can provide heating; traditional AC cannot.
Hours per year the heat pump runs in heating mode. Set to 0 for cooling-only comparison.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Federal minimum is 14 SEER (South) / 13 SEER (North). Higher = more efficient.
Modern heat pumps typically range 15–25 SEER. ENERGY STAR requires ≥ 15 SEER.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Federal minimum is 8.2 HSPF2 (≈ 10 HSPF). Higher = more efficient.
U.S. average ≈ $0.13/kWh (2024). Check your utility bill for your exact rate.
Formulas Used
Annual Cooling Energy (kWh):
kWh_cooling = (Cooling Load [BTU/hr] × Annual Cooling Hours) / (SEER × 1,000)
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is defined as total BTU of cooling output divided by total watt-hours of electrical input over a season. Dividing by 1,000 converts Wh → kWh.
Annual Heating Energy — Heat Pump (kWh):
kWh_heating = (Heating Load [BTU/hr] × Annual Heating Hours) / (HSPF × 1,000)
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is the heating-season equivalent of SEER: total BTU of heat delivered divided by total watt-hours consumed.
Annual Operating Cost ($):
Cost = kWh × Electricity Rate ($/kWh)
Cooling Savings:
Savings = AC Cooling Cost − Heat Pump Cooling Cost
Assumptions & References
- ENERGY STAR certified heat pumps require ≥ 15 SEER and ≥ 8.5 HSPF. (energystar.gov)