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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Heat Pump (Ducted or Mini-Split) in California? (2026)
A heat pump moves heat rather than generating it, delivering 2 to 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity. A single-zone mini-split draws under 1 kW; a whole-house ducted unit can pull 4 kW in cold weather.
A typical heat pump (ducted or mini-split) (2,000 W) costs $0.70 per hour, or about $168.00 per month at 8 hours a day in California. Expensive to run
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (800 W) | $0.28 | $2.24 | $67.20 | $817.60 |
| Typical (2,000 W) | $0.70 | $5.60 | $168.00 | $2,044 |
| High (4,000 W) | $1.40 | $11.20 | $336.00 | $4,088 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 5,840 kWh per year.
In California, with electricity at $0.35 per kWh (source: EIA Table 5.6.A, 2026-06), a typical heat pump (ducted or mini-split) costs $0.70 per hour and about $2,044 per year at 8 hours a day. That is about 94% more than the US national average of $86.40 per month, because electricity in California costs $0.35 per kWh against $0.18 nationally. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 1.4 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a heat pump (ducted or mini-split)
- Set it and leave it. Heat pumps are most efficient holding a steady temperature rather than being cranked up and down.
- Clean filters monthly during heavy use.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, leaves, and shrubs.
In standby it draws about 5 W, which adds roughly 44 kWh ($15.33) per year if it is never unplugged.
Frequently asked questions
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than electric resistance heating?
Yes. Even in cold climates a modern heat pump uses a third to half the electricity of baseboards or a furnace with electric strips.
How much does a heat pump cost to run per day in winter?
A 2 kW unit running 8 hours uses 16 kWh. In mild weather it cycles far less.
Does a heat pump use more electricity in cooling mode?
Usually less, because the temperature difference it works against is smaller in summer than in deep winter.
Compare with
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India