Estimate your energy savings from upgrading to a high-efficiency heat pump, find the right BTU size for your home and climate zone, and compare heat pump vs furnace annual and 10-year costs. Uses current SEER, HSPF and COP standards from AHRI and DOE data.
Three calculators in one: SEER savings, BTU sizing, and heat pump vs furnace cost comparison. For home energy planning see also the Inflation Calculator and ROI Calculator.
Choose a tab below to compare SEER savings, estimate BTU sizing, or compare heat pump vs furnace costs. All calculations run in your browser — no data is sent anywhere.
Estimate savings, sizing, and cost comparisons
This calculator provides three tools in one. Each addresses a different question homeowners ask when considering a heat pump:
Compare your current system's SEER to a new heat pump. Shows annual dollar savings, payback period, and 10-year net benefit.
Estimate the BTU capacity you need based on square footage, climate zone, insulation quality, and ceiling height.
Compare annual operating costs and 10-year total cost (installation + energy) between a heat pump and gas furnace.
All three tools run in your browser. No data is sent to any server. Results are estimates based on the formulas and assumptions below — actual savings depend on your home's specific characteristics, usage patterns, and local climate.
Efficiency ratings tell you how much cooling or heating you get per unit of electricity. Higher numbers mean lower bills. Here is how the main ratings compare:
| Rating | What it measures | Federal minimum (2024+) | High efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEER | Seasonal cooling efficiency (BTU per Wh over a full season) | ~15 (varies by region) | 18–25 |
| SEER2 | Updated SEER under tougher DOE test (since Jan 2023) | 14.3 (north) / 15.0 (south) | 16–22 |
| EER | Instantaneous cooling at 95°F outdoor — worst-case performance | ~11 | 12–16 |
| HSPF | Seasonal heating efficiency (BTU per Wh) | ~8.8 (HSPF2 7.5) | 10–13 |
| COP | Instantaneous heating: units of heat per unit of electricity | ~2.0 | 3.0–5.0 |
SEER2 ≈ SEER × 0.95
HSPF2 ≈ HSPF × 0.95
COP ≈ EER ÷ 3.412
SEER ≈ EER × 1.1 (approximate seasonal average)
Source: U.S. DOE — Heat Pump Systems. The 2023 DOE test procedure change (AHRI 210/240) makes SEER2 numbers lower than SEER for the same unit. When comparing quotes, make sure you are comparing the same scale.
Sizing depends primarily on your climate zone, insulation quality, and home size. An undersized unit runs constantly and fails to reach set temperature; an oversized unit short-cycles, wastes energy, and dehumidifies poorly. Here are the BTU-per-square-foot guidelines used by this calculator:
| Climate Zone | States (examples) | BTU/sq ft | 1,500 sq ft | 2,000 sq ft | 2,500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 — Hot | FL, TX, AZ | 20 | 30,000 BTU (2.5 ton) | 40,000 BTU (3.3 ton) | 50,000 BTU (4.2 ton) |
| Zone 2 — Warm | GA, SC, LA | 25 | 37,500 BTU (3.1 ton) | 50,000 BTU (4.2 ton) | 62,500 BTU (5.2 ton) |
| Zone 3 — Mixed | NC, TN, OK | 30 | 45,000 BTU (3.8 ton) | 60,000 BTU (5.0 ton) | 75,000 BTU (6.3 ton) |
| Zone 4 — Cool | NY, PA, OH | 35 | 52,500 BTU (4.4 ton) | 70,000 BTU (5.8 ton) | 87,500 BTU (7.3 ton) |
| Zone 5 — Cold | MI, MN, WI | 40 | 60,000 BTU (5.0 ton) | 80,000 BTU (6.7 ton) | 100,000 BTU (8.3 ton) |
| Zone 6 — Very Cold | MT, ND, ME | 45 | 67,500 BTU (5.6 ton) | 90,000 BTU (7.5 ton) | 112,500 BTU (9.4 ton) |
Important: These are estimates
A professional Manual J load calculation (required by most building codes for new construction) considers insulation R-values, window area and U-values, duct losses, air infiltration rates, orientation, shading, and occupancy. Rules of thumb can be off by 20–30%. For existing homes, an energy audit provides the most accurate sizing data.
Source: EnergySage Heat Pump Size Guide, Rewiring America Sizing Guide.
Each calculator tab uses the following formulas. Understanding these helps you verify the results and adjust assumptions:
Annual Savings = Annual kWh × $/kWh × (1 − Old SEER ÷ New SEER)
This formula assumes the same cooling output. A SEER 20 unit uses 35% less electricity than SEER 13 for the same cooling load. The savings scale linearly with SEER difference.
BTU = Square Feet × BTU/sqft × Insulation Factor × Ceiling Factor
BTU/sqft ranges from 20 (hot climate) to 45 (very cold). Insulation factor: good = 0.85, average = 1.0, poor = 1.2. Ceiling factor: 8ft = 1.0, 9ft = 1.1, 10ft+ = 1.2.
HP Annual = (Cooling kWh + Heating kWh) × Electricity Rate
Furnace Annual = Gas Therms × Gas Rate + AC kWh × Elec Rate
Heating kWh = (Sqft × 30,000) ÷ (HSPF × 1000). Gas therms = (Sqft × 30,000) ÷ (Furnace Efficiency × 100). The 10-year total adds installation cost to cumulative operating costs.
Payback (years) = Installation Cost ÷ Annual Savings
This is a simple payback (no discount rate or energy inflation). For a more accurate financial analysis, consider 3% energy inflation and time value of money.
Example — 2,000 sq ft home in North Carolina, upgrading from SEER 13 to SEER 20, electricity at $0.13/kWh, 12,000 kWh annual HVAC usage, $14,000 installation cost:
Step 1 — Calculate efficiency gain
Efficiency Gain = ((20 − 13) ÷ 13) × 100 = 53.8%
Step 2 — Calculate annual savings
Annual Savings = 12,000 × $0.13 × (1 − 13/20)
= 12,000 × $0.13 × 0.35
= $546/year
Step 3 — Calculate monthly savings
= $546 ÷ 12 = $45.50/month
Step 4 — Payback period
Payback = $14,000 ÷ $546 = 25.6 years
Step 5 — 10-year net benefit
10-Year Savings = $546 × 10 = $5,460
Net Benefit = $5,460 − $14,000 = −$8,540
With a $2,000 federal tax credit, net benefit improves to −$6,540 over 10 years. The investment pays back in ~22 years with the credit.
Key insight: At $0.13/kWh, upgrading from SEER 13 to SEER 20 has a long payback. But at $0.25/kWh (California, New England), annual savings jump to $1,050 and payback drops to 11.4 years — making the upgrade much more compelling.
The answer depends on your climate, electricity rates, gas prices, and existing infrastructure. Here is an honest comparison:
| Factor | Heat Pump | Gas Furnace + AC |
|---|---|---|
| Annual operating cost (avg) | $1,200–$2,400 | $1,800–$3,600 |
| Installation cost | $10,000–$18,000 | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Lifespan | 15–20 years | 15–25 years (furnace), 15–20 (AC) |
| Best climate | Zones 1–4 (mild to cool) | Zones 5–6 (cold to very cold) |
| Tax credit (2026) | 30% up to $2,000 (25C) | None for standard furnaces |
| Carbon emissions | Lower (especially with clean grid) | Higher (combustion + AC electricity) |
The crossover point depends on your specific rates. As a rule of thumb, heat pumps win when COP > 2.8 relative to your gas furnace efficiency. Use the HP vs Furnace tab above to model your exact situation.
Sources: U.S. DOE, EnergySage, Trane.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides significant financial incentives for heat pump adoption. These can dramatically improve the payback period:
30% of installation cost, up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps meeting CEE highest efficiency tier. This is a direct tax credit (not a deduction), meaning it reduces your tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Available through 2032.
Many states and utilities offer additional rebates of $1,000–$10,000. Check ENERGY STAR Rebates and your state energy office for current programs. The IRA also created the HOMES rebate program (up to $8,000 for whole-home efficiency) and HEAR program (up to $14,000 for low-income households).
A $2,000 tax credit on a $14,000 installation reduces effective cost to $12,000. Combined with typical annual savings of $500–$1,500, the payback period drops from 14–28 years to 8–24 years depending on your energy rates and climate.
Tax credit information based on IRS guidance and IRA provisions as of 2026. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Data and formulas on this page are based on the following authoritative sources:
This heat pump calculator provides estimated results based on simplified formulas and general assumptions. It is for educational and informational purposes only.
Actual energy savings depend on your home's insulation, ductwork, climate, usage patterns, equipment specifications, and installation quality. A professional Manual J load calculation and energy audit provide the most accurate sizing and savings estimates.
Tax credit information is based on current IRS guidance but may change. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation. Installation costs are estimates and vary by region, contractor, and equipment type.
Enter your current SEER rating, new SEER rating, annual HVAC electricity usage (kWh), and local electricity rate. The calculator uses the formula: Savings = Annual kWh × Rate × (1 − Old SEER ÷ New SEER). A jump from SEER 13 to SEER 20 saves roughly 35% on cooling electricity.
Click to use the Age Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Cumulative GPA Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Gpa to Percentage Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Assignment Grade Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Chronological Age Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Subnet Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Password Generator and get instant results.
Click to use the Hours Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Dog Food Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Statistical Rarity Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Tattoo Price Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Tip Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Unit Converter and get instant results.
Click to use the Cat Food Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Carbon Footprint Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Sponsorship Value Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Sleep Cycle Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Dog Age Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Roblox Tax Calculator and get instant results.
Click to use the Twitch Bits Calculator and get instant results.
Content Updated At : 30/08/2026
Explore: Inflation Calculator · ROI Calculator · Other Calculators