Do Heat Pumps Use a Lot of Electricity?

One of the most common questions we get asked is: “Do heat pumps use a lot of electricity?” To make it short, yes, but there’s a lot of nuance and factors, and most often, it’s still a net benefit on your utility bills. Let’s break it down.

A typical residential heat pump uses between 1,500 and 6,000 watts during operation. Use the calculator below to see real wattage data for specific models:

But is 3,500 watts a lot? It depends on what you’re comparing it to. The chart below puts heat pump wattage in context against appliances you already run every day:

Wattage by brand and model

Real power consumption from manufacturer AHRI-certified performance data for cold-climate models we install. Wattage at 47°F represents mild weather operation; 5°F shows peak draw during Colorado’s coldest nights.

Unlike a conventional gas furnace that burns fuel to produce heat, a heat pump uses a refrigeration cycle to pull heat from outdoor air (air-source) or the ground (geothermal) and move it indoors. Because it only needs electricity to run the compressor and fans rather than produce heat from scratch, it often consumes fewer total resources.

The key metric is the Coefficient of Performance (COP). When a heat pump has a COP of 3.0, it delivers 3 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity consumed. In moderate temperatures, cold-climate heat pumps routinely achieve COP values of 3.5 to 4.5, meaning they produce 3.5 to 4.5 times more heat energy than the electrical energy they consume. This efficiency multiplier is why they can heat a home while using less total energy than a gas furnace.

• Efficiency Ratings: A heat pump’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) are key indicators. Higher ratings mean lower energy use.
• Climate: Colorado’s cold winters demand cold-climate heat pumps with variable-speed compressors to maintain efficiency.
• Home Insulation: Poorly insulated homes increase heat pump workload.
• Size of the System: Oversized or undersized systems waste energy.
• Usage Patterns: Frequent adjustments to thermostat settings can spike energy use.

According to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), proper insulation, airtight construction, and efficient systems can dramatically reduce heat pump energy consumption.

Heat pumps are often compared to conventional heating and cooling systems such as gas furnaces, electric resistance heaters, and air conditioners. Below is a comparison of their energy use for both heating and cooling modes.

What do these metrics mean?

• HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor): Measures heating efficiency for heat pumps. Higher HSPF means less electricity used for the same heat output.
• sCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance): Ratio of heat output to electricity input over a season. Similar to HSPF but used internationally.
• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): Efficiency of gas furnaces. 0.95 AFUE means 95% of energy in natural gas is converted to heat.
• SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): Measures cooling efficiency for air conditioners and heat pumps. Higher SEER means more cooling per kWh of electricity.

Heating mode comparison

Wattage by system size and temperature

The same heat pump draws very different wattage depending on the outdoor temperature. As it gets colder, the compressor works harder and COP drops, both of which increase electricity consumption.

Energy use per square foot:

Heat pump electricity use varies by home size and system efficiency. Compared to gas furnaces and boilers, heat pumps excel in efficiency but may cost more to operate if electricity prices are high.

Heat pumps generally consume less total energy but may cost more due to electricity’s price compared to natural gas.

Cost depends on electricity rates, system efficiency, and usage patterns. Heat pumps with higher COP or HSPF ratings use significantly less total energy but may cost more to operate due to the difference in energy density. Here is an example for a 2,000 square foot home in Colorado across different temperature bands.

With most cold climate heat pumps, at temperatures above 50°F, COP often exceeds 4.0, which significantly reduces operating costs.

If you have your heat pump’s spec sheet handy, you can calculate the exact wattage at any operating condition. Enter the BTU output and COP below to see live results:

Heat pumps do not typically increase your bills overall, but they convert natural gas heating costs to electricity costs. This shift can be advantageous or costly depending on electricity prices, usage patterns or solar offset. For example:

• In Colorado’s moderate winter temperatures, a heat pump operating at COP 3.0 can reduce energy use by 30% compared to a gas furnace.
• In extremely cold temperatures, all heat pumps will have high run-times at high ampacity, which tends to increase costs, as a unit of electricity is much less energy dense compared to a unit of natural gas.
• Dual fuel cold climate heat pumps are a great fit for homeowners who want the best of both worlds; dual fuel systems combine a gas furnace and a heat pump to allow the homeowner to choose how much of the heating is taken on by the heat pump.

For a detailed side-by-side cost analysis, see our heat pump vs gas furnace operating costs comparison.

Heat pumps offer a significant net benefit for homeowners. They can lower energy costs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and provide efficient heating and cooling year-round. For added flexibility, they can be paired with dual fuel setups to optimize performance in extreme cold.

Residents of Denver, Littleton, Centennial, and surrounding areas can take advantage of significant rebates and incentives to make installation more affordable.

If you’re considering a heat pump for your home, contact UniColorado for expert advice and professional installation. We’re here to help you find the best solution for your comfort and budget.