Wilkes-Barre, PA Heat Pump Leasing & Installation
In this guide
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
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
With a Comfort Plan subscription, installation and maintenance are fully covered, no surprise bills, no weekend DIY.
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
Wilkes-Barre, PA Heat Pump Load Calculator
This square-foot calculator estimates your Wilkes-Barre home’s heating and cooling needs. It uses a 72°F indoor temperature, a 92°F cooling design temperature, and a 5°F heating design temperature—the ACCA-standard design conditions for the area. For an official Manual J load calculation and quote, get in touch with 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
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.
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Cash |
Loan |
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|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Cash
Loan
Local Incentives
Wilkes-Barre, PA 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 Wilkes-Barre homeowners.
PPL Air-Source Heat Pump
Up to $475PPL offers $225–$325 for qualifying ducted air-source heat pumps, with income-qualified rebates of $350 or $475 depending on equipment efficiency.
PPL Mini-Split Heat Pump
Up to $350PPL offers a $225 standard rebate for qualifying mini-splits and a $350 rebate for income-qualified households.
PPL Ground-Source Heat Pump
$500PPL lists a $500 rebate for qualifying ENERGY STAR certified ground-source heat pumps.
PPL Heat Pump Water Heater
$400PPL offers a rebate for a qualifying ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater.
Wilkes-Barre homeowners with an active PPL Electric account can access current rebates for qualifying air-source, mini-split, ground-source, and heat pump water heater equipment; Pennsylvania’s HOMES and HEEHR rebates were not yet open to consumers in the state’s 2026 update. Federal homeowner heat pump tax credits ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, and Palmetto can help homeowners check eligibility, apply for utility rebates, and maximize available incentives.
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
Wilkes-Barre is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7, with a 5°F design heating temperature and 92°F design cooling temperature. Cold winters and hot summers affect heat pump sizing: a system must handle cold snaps, run efficiently on milder days, and cool reliably in summer. Palmetto understands local conditions and can recommend a system suited to Wilkes-Barre. Explore other zones below or enter your ZIP code to confirm yours.
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
Wilkes-Barre Electricity Prices
For Wilkes-Barre homeowners, electricity rates can shape what it costs to heat and cool a home.
Pennsylvania’s average residential electricity price rose from 13.8¢ per kWh in 2021 to 17.8¢ in 2024, after reaching 18.1¢ in 2023. The 2024 state average was above the U.S. average of 16.5¢.
Heat pumps move heat instead of generating it, so they can be two to three times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems and use less electricity per unit of heating or cooling.
Over time, using less electricity for each unit of comfort can help households manage rising energy costs. Actual bills vary with the home, equipment, weather, and how much energy a household uses.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Wilkes-Barre Area Utility Providers
For Wilkes-Barre homes served by PPL, the latest available utility figure is from 2023: 19.5¢ per kWh. That’s above Pennsylvania’s 18.10¢ average and the national average of 16.0¢.
PPL’s 2023 rate is higher than both benchmarks, but these figures alone don’t explain why. They show the price difference, not the factors behind it. 2024 utility data isn’t yet available.
A higher electricity rate doesn’t tell the whole story of heating costs. Heat pumps use electricity efficiently, so they may reduce total energy spending compared with traditional HVAC, even where electricity costs more.
Wilkes-Barre Utilities Electricity Rates
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.
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- Personalized Savings Tools
- Whole Home Energy Management
- Support Whenever You Need It
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.
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. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, heat pumps can make sense in Wilkes-Barre, but equipment selection and home insulation matter. The area is in Climate Zone 7, with design temperatures of 5°F for heating and 92°F for cooling. Cold-climate models are designed for low temperatures, while Pennsylvania’s 17.8¢/kWh electricity price affects operating costs.
Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has no upfront cost and includes predictable monthly payments, maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage. With direct purchase, you own the system and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available. No federal heat pump tax credit is available for systems installed in 2026, so compare total costs and likely savings.
Wilkes-Barre’s heat pumps can work efficiently when properly selected and sized for its Climate Zone 7 climate. Modern cold-climate models can heat homes at the area’s 5°F design temperature, though efficiency and heating output generally fall as outdoor temperatures drop. At the 92°F cooling design temperature, they also provide cooling.
At Pennsylvania’s current electricity price of 17.8¢ per kWh, operating costs depend on a heat pump’s seasonal efficiency, your home’s insulation, and thermostat settings. A contractor can assess whether supplemental heat is needed in cold weather. Palmetto offers a $0-upfront Comfort Plan with maintenance and repairs included, or direct purchase.
In Wilkes-Barre, choose a lease if you prefer $0 upfront, a predictable monthly payment, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage included for the plan’s life. Buying suits homeowners who can pay upfront, want to own the heat pump outright, and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available.
Wilkes-Barre is in Climate Zone 7, with a 5°F design heating temperature, so compare options based on system sizing, cold-weather performance, and total costs. Pennsylvania’s current electricity price is 17.8¢ per kWh. For systems installed in 2026, federal heat pump tax credits are no longer available; confirm active state or utility incentives before buying.
Heat pump installation cost in Wilkes-Barre depends on system size, equipment type, ductwork condition, and home layout, so there isn’t one reliable citywide price. Palmetto can provide a home-specific estimate. Pennsylvania electricity currently averages 17.8¢ per kWh, which also affects operating costs, not installation price.
Wilkes-Barre is in Climate Zone 7, with a 5°F design heating temperature, so proper sizing matters. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has $0 upfront cost and includes maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life; direct purchase is paid upfront and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available. No federal tax credit applies to systems installed in 2026.
A heat pump can be financially worthwhile in Wilkes-Barre, but savings depend on installation cost, your current fuel, and electricity use. Pennsylvania electricity costs 17.8¢ per kWh. The area is Climate Zone 7, with a 5°F design heating temperature, so cold-weather performance and proper sizing matter when estimating operating costs.
Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has $0 upfront cost, a predictable monthly payment, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. With direct purchase, you own the system and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available. Federal heat pump tax credits ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025, so none apply to 2026 installations.
Homeowners in Wilkes-Barre can get a heat pump installed through Palmetto. Palmetto coordinates installation with qualified professionals, who assess the home, recommend properly sized equipment, and complete the installation. This is important in Climate Zone 7, where systems must be designed for a 5°F heating temperature and 92°F cooling temperature.
Palmetto offers two payment options. The Comfort Plan has no upfront cost, predictable monthly payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. With direct purchase, you pay upfront and own the equipment; state or utility rebates may be available, but federal heat pump tax credits are unavailable for 2026 installations.
HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—the overall home comfort system and industry. A heat pump is one type of HVAC equipment: it moves heat indoors in winter and outdoors in summer, so one system can provide both heating and cooling. It does not create heat by burning fuel.
In Wilkes-Barre’s Climate Zone 7, with a 5°F design heating temperature and a 92°F design cooling temperature, proper sizing and cold-weather performance matter. A heat pump may be paired with backup heat if needed. Palmetto offers a Comfort Plan lease or direct purchase, with different ownership and maintenance terms.