Solar + Heat Pump Calculator

Replacing gas, oil, or propane heat with a heat pump changes your electricity needs significantly. Find out exactly how much more solar you need to cover the load.

Home size

sq ft

Current heating fuel

Climate zone

Heat pump type

Electricity rate

$/kWh

Existing solar (0 if none)

Peak sun hours

hrs/day

Installed solar cost

$/W

Known heating cost (optional)

$/yr

Enter your actual annual heating bill to override the estimate

Electrification is the biggest solar opportunity since the panel itself

The US is in the middle of a deep electrification wave. Heat pumps, electric water heaters, induction cooktops, and EVs are all replacing fossil-fuel appliances — and every replacement adds electricity demand that solar can serve. For a homeowner thinking about solar, the electrification of home heating is the single biggest multiplier on the value of solar panels.

Why heat pumps change the solar equation

A gas furnace burns natural gas to make heat. A heat pump moves heat from outside air into your home using electricity — and because of basic thermodynamics, it produces 2–4 kWh of heat for every 1 kWh of electricity. This efficiency (called COP) means your solar system doesn't need to replace every BTU of your old gas consumption — it only needs to power a very efficient machine that delivers those BTUs.

The combined investment case

When you model solar + heat pump together, two cash flows merge into one: you stop paying for natural gas or heating oil, and you stop paying for grid electricity to run the heat pump. In cold-climate regions where heating oil can cost $2,500–$4,000/year, the combined savings from a heat pump + solar system can cut payback to 5–8 years — even in expensive New England or Minnesota markets.

Frequently asked questions

How much solar do I need to power a heat pump?

It depends on your home size and climate. A 2,000 sq ft home in a mixed climate switching from gas to a cold-climate air-source heat pump adds roughly 4,000–6,000 kWh/year of electricity. At 4.5 peak sun hours, you need about 2.5–3.5 kW of additional solar to cover that load. Our calculator sizes this precisely for your home and climate.

What is COP and why does it matter?

COP (Coefficient of Performance) is how many kWh of heat a heat pump produces per kWh of electricity consumed. A gas furnace is roughly 0.92 COP. A cold-climate air-source heat pump achieves COP 2.5–3.0 in cold weather, meaning it produces 2.5–3× more heat per unit of electricity than a resistance heater. This efficiency multiplier is why heat pumps are so economical even in cold climates.

Do heat pumps work in very cold climates?

Modern cold-climate heat pumps (Mitsubishi Hyper Heat, Bosch IDS, Daikin Emura) maintain COP above 1.5 at temperatures down to -13°F. They have largely eliminated the old limitation where heat pumps stopped working in very cold weather. For Minnesota, Maine, or Wisconsin winters, a cold-climate or ground-source (geothermal) heat pump is the correct choice.

Is there still a tax credit for heat pumps in 2026?

The Section 25C residential energy efficiency credit — which covers heat pumps — has different policy status than the Section 25D solar credit. Check with a tax professional for your specific situation. Many utilities also offer $500–$2,000 rebates for heat pump installations; use our Incentive Finder to check your state.

Should I electrify heating before or after adding solar?

Installing solar and a heat pump together is the most efficient approach — you size the solar system once to cover both loads, and the combined project often qualifies for utility rebates that cover both. If doing them separately, add solar first so you can accurately model the additional heat pump load before the next panel purchase.