Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: October 2026
Quality home solutions since 2011
Palmetto serves thousands of customers across 25 states with an over 85% approval rating

01

Benefits of Palmetto Heat Pumps

Say goodbye to clunky old systems and surprise repairs. Palmetto Comfort Plan gives you a brand-new heat pump, installation, and full support, all wrapped into one subscription.

Year round comfort

Year Round Comfort

A high-efficiency heat pump keeps your home cool in summer, warm in winter, and your energy use in check all year long.

Forget the maintenance

Forget the maintenance

With a Comfort Plan subscription, installation and maintenance are fully covered, no surprise bills, no weekend DIY.

Rewards for renewing

Rewards for renewing

Stick with us and earn credits toward your next system upgrade. It’s our way of saying thanks for building a cleaner, comfier future with us.

02

Orlando, FL Heat Pump Load Calculator

This square-foot calculator estimates your home’s heating and cooling needs in Orlando using 72°F indoors, a 95°F outdoor cooling design temperature, and a 33°F heating design temperature—the ACCA-standard design conditions for Orlando, FL. For an official Manual J load calculation and quote, contact Palmetto’s team. Get in touch with our team for an official quote.

Step 1 of 3

Home location & size

Your home’s location and size directly impact heating needs.

Step 2 of 3

Home attributes

Step 3 of 3

Additional details

Description of what this means for context.

Estimated Heating Needs

Your home’s location falls within the a climate zone with the average extreme winter falling between 10° – 15° F.

Home Details

Get Started

Recommended equipment capacity

60,000 BTU

5 Tons

Calculated Cooling Mode

102,000 BTU

8.5 Tons

03

Buy it or finance it. Your comfort, your call

There's no wrong way to get cozy. Here's how the options stack up, so you can choose what works best for you.

Cash

Loan

Payment schedule $0 upfront, then monthly subscription Full price upfront $0 upfront, then monthly payment
Term length 10 or 12 years None Variable
End of term options Flexible with 25% renewal term credits to new system No credits to new system No credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives
Payment schedule $0 upfront, then monthly subscription
Term length 10 or 12 years
End of term options Flexible with 25% renewal term credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives

Cash

Payment schedule Full price upfront
Term length None
End of term options No credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives

Loan

Payment schedule $0 upfront, then monthly payment
Term length Variable
End of term options No credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives

Local Incentives

Orlando, FL Heat Pump Rebates & Incentives

Local and federal incentive programs can significantly reduce the cost of a new heat pump system. Here are the programs available to Orlando homeowners.

OUC Heat Pump A/C Rebate

$45 - $1,150

OUC offers a bill-credit rebate for qualifying high-efficiency heat pump air-conditioning systems.

Eligibility: Available to OUC electric customers for systems rated at least 15.2 SEER2 or 16 SEER. Submit the invoice and required equipment documentation within six months of purchase; OUC water-only customers are excluded.

Learn more →

OUC Water Heater Rebate

Up to $500

OUC offers a bill-credit rebate for qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters.

Eligibility: Available to OUC electric customers for qualifying heat pump water heaters. Submit the invoice and proof of ENERGY STAR qualification within six months of purchase; gas and electric tankless water heaters are excluded.

Learn more →

Orlando homeowners served by OUC may qualify for rebates on eligible heat pump A/C systems and heat pump water heaters. Palmetto can help homeowners review eligibility and apply for applicable rebates when planning a heat-pump project.

Incentive information is based on publicly available data as of 2026 and may change. Contact program administrators to verify current availability and eligibility requirements.

04

Climate Zones

Orlando is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10, with mild winters, chilly nights at times, and long, hot, humid summers. The design heating temperature is 33°F, while the design cooling temperature is 95°F, so a heat pump needs to manage occasional cold snaps and sustained summer heat. Palmetto knows Central Florida’s climate and can recommend an appropriately sized system. Explore other zones below or enter your ZIP code to confirm yours.

US Climate Zone Map
Your location

Climate Zone 1

Climate zone 1 is not typically seen within the United States outside of Alaska. It represents the coldest climates on the planet.

Climate Zone 1A

Avg. extreme winters: -60° to -55° F

Climate Zone 1B

Avg. extreme winters: -55° to -50° F

05

Orlando Electricity Prices

For Orlando households, electricity prices have shifted—but efficient heating and cooling can help you use less.

Florida’s average electricity rate rose from 11.9¢ per kWh in 2021 to 15.2¢ in 2023, then eased to 14.1¢ in 2024. That’s still higher than in 2021, though below the 2024 U.S. average of 16.5¢.

A heat pump can make each kilowatt-hour go further: it moves heat rather than generating it and can be 2–3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC equipment. That means less electricity for the same amount of heating or cooling.

Over a system’s life, using less electricity for comfort can help Orlando homeowners manage changing rates. Actual bills depend on usage, the home, the system, and utility pricing.

Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average

0¢
10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
11.9¢
15.0¢
13.9¢
16.0¢
15.2¢
16.5¢
14.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Florida

Orlando Area Utility Providers

Orlando-area customers may get electricity from OUC, Duke Energy, or SECO. The latest utility rates available are from 2023; 2024 data isn’t available yet. Rates are shown in cents per kilowatt-hour.

In 2023, OUC’s 12.6¢ and SECO’s 13.0¢ rates were below Florida’s 15.20¢ and the national 16.0¢ averages. Duke Energy’s 18.1¢ rate was above both. These figures show differences, but not what caused them.

Even when electricity costs more, a heat pump’s high efficiency can help reduce total energy spending compared with traditional HVAC. Your actual savings depend on your home and energy use.

Orlando Utilities Electricity Rates

OUC
12.60¢
-21%
Duke Energy
18.10¢
+13%
SECO
13.00¢
-19%
FL Average
15.20¢
-5%
US Average
16.0¢
—
06

Palmetto Reviews

Ready to start saving with a heat pump?

Speak with a Palmetto heating & cooling expert to find out exactly how much you can save.

Get a Free Quote
Palmetto mobile app
07

Let our smart tools do the heavy lifting.

Get personalized tips, usage insights, project tracking, and that daily satisfaction of making your energy work smarter with the Palmetto mobile app.

  • Rewards for smarter energy usage
  • Energy insights & Dashboard
  • Personalized Savings Tools
  • Whole Home Energy Management
  • Support Whenever You Need It
Download the App
08

Repair versus replace

When a heat pump is in need of repair it is worth considering whether a replacement would be a better investment. While each case is unique, we generally recommend investing in a new unit when repairs exceed $5,000.

$5,000
Recommended repair threshold

A heat pump's lifetime is impacted by a number of factors including environment, use and the quality of the unit. It's important to choose the right unit for your climate zone and home's unique attributes.

When you are in need of repair, we recommend choosing a service provider that is an expert in the heat pump brand you have installed, and checking online reviews to ensure you are investing in the right level of service.

Potential repair Cost range Description
Capacitor Replacement $150 - $400 Common issue when unit struggles to start or makes a humming noise. Capacitors store the electrical energy needed to start the compressor and fan motors.
Refrigerant Recharge $250 - $750 Needed when the system loses cooling or heating efficiency due to low refrigerant levels. Includes leak detection, repair of minor leaks, and recharging the system to the manufacturer-specified level.
Reversing Valve Replacement $450 - $900 Required when the unit cannot switch between heating and cooling modes. The reversing valve directs refrigerant flow and is unique to heat pump systems.
Compressor Replacement $1,500 - $3,000 Major repair needed when the unit fails to heat or cool entirely. The compressor is the heart of the system, circulating refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor coils.
Evaporator/Condenser Coil Replacement $1,200 - $2,800 Replacement needed when coils develop leaks or corrosion that cannot be economically repaired. Coil damage reduces heat transfer efficiency and can cause refrigerant loss.
Control Board Replacement $500 - $1,200 Required when the system has electrical failures or erratic behavior. The control board manages all system operations including defrost cycles, fan speeds, and compressor staging.
Full System Replacement $4,500 - $8,000+ When repairs exceed the value of the unit or multiple major components fail simultaneously. Includes removal of the old system and installation of a new heat pump with updated refrigerant lines and electrical connections.

Ready to start saving with a heat pump?

Speak with a Palmetto heating & cooling expert to find out exactly how much you can save.

Get a Free Quote
09

Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, yes. Orlando’s mild winters make heat pumps a practical option: the area’s design heating temperature is 33°F, while its design cooling temperature is 95°F. One system can provide both heating and cooling, and Florida’s average electricity price of 14.2¢ per kWh can help homeowners compare estimated operating costs with their current equipment.

Palmetto offers a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront, predictable monthly payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the life of the plan. Or, you can buy the equipment outright and may qualify for active state or utility rebates. For systems installed in 2026, federal heat pump tax credits are no longer available.

Heat pumps are generally efficient in Orlando because winters are mild and summers suit electric cooling. In Climate Zone 10, the design heating temperature is 33°F and the design cooling temperature is 95°F. A properly sized system can handle typical conditions without relying heavily on backup heat.

At Florida’s electricity price of 14.2¢ per kWh, operating costs depend on equipment efficiency, home insulation, and thermostat settings. Palmetto’s $0-upfront Comfort Plan includes maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life; direct purchase means owning the equipment outright.

Whether you should lease or buy a heat pump in Orlando depends on your budget and how much responsibility you want. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has no upfront cost, a predictable monthly payment, and includes maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. Buying requires a one-time payment and gives you full equipment ownership.

Orlando’s Climate Zone 10 design temperatures—33°F for heating and 95°F for cooling—make year-round performance important; Florida’s current electricity price is 14.2¢ per kWh. A purchase may qualify for state or utility rebates if available, but no federal heat pump tax credit applies to systems installed in 2026. Compare total costs and service coverage before deciding.

Heat pump installation costs in Orlando vary with your home’s size, existing ductwork, equipment efficiency, and any electrical or installation work needed. Because Orlando is in Climate Zone 10, with design temperatures of 33°F for heating and 95°F for cooling, a home assessment is needed for an accurate quote.

Palmetto offers two options: the Comfort Plan has no upfront cost, a predictable monthly payment, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. Direct purchase means paying upfront and owning the system; state or utility rebates may be available. Federal heat-pump tax credits are unavailable for systems installed in 2026.

A heat pump may be financially worthwhile in Orlando, but savings depend on your current system, energy use, and installation cost. At Florida’s electricity price of 14.2¢ per kWh, its efficiency can reduce heating costs versus electric resistance heat. Orlando’s Climate Zone 10 design temperatures—33°F for heating and 95°F for cooling—are well suited to heat-pump heating and cooling.

For systems installed in 2026, no federal heat pump tax credit is available; state or utility rebates may be offered where active. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has no upfront cost, predictable payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. Direct purchase requires an upfront payment, gives you ownership, and may qualify for available rebates.

In Orlando, heat pumps are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who assess your home, size the equipment, and handle installation and startup. Palmetto offers heat pump installation through two options: its Comfort Plan or a direct purchase. Ask any provider to confirm licensing, permits, equipment sizing, and who will perform the work.

Orlando’s Climate Zone 10 design temperatures—33°F for heating and 95°F for cooling—make proper sizing important. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has $0 upfront cost and includes predictable monthly payments, maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage; direct purchase means you own the system and may qualify for active state or utility rebates. No federal heat pump tax credit is available for 2026 installations.

HVAC is an umbrella term for a home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment. A heat pump is one type of HVAC system: it moves heat rather than creating it, providing both heating and cooling through the same equipment. Traditional systems may use separate heating and cooling units.

In Orlando, heat pumps suit the warm climate and can handle local design conditions of 95°F for cooling and 33°F for heating. Palmetto offers them through a Comfort Plan with no upfront cost and maintenance and repairs included for the plan’s life, or by direct purchase, which gives the homeowner ownership.