Florence, SC 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
Florence, SC Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use this calculator for a square-foot estimate of your home’s heating and cooling needs. It uses a 72°F indoor temperature, with ACCA-standard design conditions for Florence, SC: 97°F outdoors for cooling and 24°F for heating. 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
Florence, SC 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 Florence homeowners.
Duke Smart $aver Rebate
$350 - $2,500Duke Energy Progress offers rebates for qualifying residential heat pump installations. The amount varies by equipment efficiency and the existing heating system.
Duke Energy Progress customers in Florence may qualify for Smart $aver rebates for eligible heat pump installations, with amounts depending on the project and equipment. Palmetto can help homeowners check utility eligibility, review available incentives, and apply to maximize qualifying rebates.
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
Florence is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, where winters are mild but can bring chilly spells, while summers are hot and humid. With design temperatures of 24°F for heating and 97°F for cooling, a heat pump must handle cold snaps and summer heat without being oversized. Palmetto understands Florence’s climate and can recommend a suitable system. Explore other zones below or enter your ZIP code to confirm your zone.
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
Florence Electricity Prices
For Florence homeowners, a more efficient way to heat and cool can help make every kilowatt-hour go further.
South Carolina electricity averaged 12.9 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2021 and 14.1 cents in 2024—a 1.2-cent increase. Rates remain below the 2024 U.S. average of 16.5 cents, but the local trend is upward.
Heat pumps can help offset rising rates: they’re 2–3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, delivering the same heating or cooling with less electricity.
Over time, using less electricity for heating and cooling can help Florence households manage energy costs as rates change. Actual savings depend on your home, system, and utility rates.
Price of Energy: South Carolina vs National Average
Florence Area Utility Providers
The latest available figures are from 2023. In Florence, Duke Energy’s electricity price was 14.7¢ per kWh, compared with South Carolina’s 13.70¢ state average and the 16.0¢ national average.
Duke Energy’s rate was above the state average but below the national average. These figures compare different utility and regional averages; the data provided doesn’t identify the specific reasons for the differences.
Even when electricity costs more than the state average, a heat pump’s high efficiency can help lower total energy spending compared with traditional HVAC. Your actual savings depend on your home and energy use.
Florence Utilities Electricity Rates
Let our smart tools do the heavy lifting.
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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 Florence, where Climate Zone 9 has a design heating temperature of 24°F and a design cooling temperature of 97°F. They can provide both heating and cooling through mild winters and hot summers. At South Carolina’s 14.1¢/kWh electricity price, costs depend on equipment efficiency and home conditions.
Palmetto offers a Comfort Plan with no upfront cost, predictable monthly payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage included, or direct purchase, which gives you ownership and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available. For systems installed in 2026, federal heat pump tax credits are no longer available; compare total costs and terms before choosing.
Heat pumps can be highly efficient in Florence because the area’s winters are relatively mild, and they provide both heating and cooling by moving heat rather than generating it directly. Florence is in Climate Zone 9, with a 24°F design heating temperature and 97°F design cooling temperature; efficiency varies with equipment and installation.
At South Carolina’s current electricity price of 14.1¢ per kWh, your operating cost depends on the heat pump’s efficiency, home insulation, duct condition, and thermostat settings. A professional load calculation and correct sizing help maintain comfort during hot summers and cooler periods.
In Florence, leasing through Palmetto’s Comfort Plan may suit homeowners who want to avoid a large upfront payment: it has $0 upfront cost, predictable monthly payments, and includes maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. Buying requires a one-time payment, gives you ownership, and may fit if you prefer managing the equipment yourself.
Florence’s Climate Zone 9 design temperatures—24°F for heating and 97°F for cooling—mean a properly sized heat pump must handle both seasonal needs. South Carolina’s current electricity price is 14.1¢ per kWh. Buyers may qualify for state or utility rebates where available. No federal heat-pump tax credit is available for systems installed in 2026.
There isn’t one standard price for a heat pump in Florence, SC. Total installation cost depends on your home’s size, equipment capacity and efficiency, ductwork, and other installation needs. Palmetto can provide a price after assessing your home; local design temperatures of 24°F for heating and 97°F for cooling help guide system sizing.
Palmetto offers a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage included, or direct purchase, which means paying upfront and owning the system. South Carolina electricity averages 14.1¢ per kWh. State or utility rebates may be available, but no federal heat pump tax credit applies to systems installed in 2026.
A heat pump can be financially worthwhile in Florence if its year-round heating and cooling savings outweigh installation and operating costs. South Carolina electricity averages 14.1¢ per kWh, and Florence’s design temperatures—24°F for heating and 97°F for cooling—make both seasonal performance and your current system important to compare.
With Palmetto, the Comfort Plan has no upfront cost and includes predictable monthly payments, maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage; direct purchase means paying upfront and owning the equipment, with possible state or utility rebates where available. No federal heat pump tax credit applies to systems installed in 2026, so compare total costs over time.
Florence homeowners can arrange heat pump installation through Palmetto, which offers two ways to get a system: the Comfort Plan or direct purchase. Palmetto coordinates the installation, so homeowners can choose a service arrangement that fits their budget and preferences instead of handling equipment purchase and installation as separate decisions.
In Florence’s Climate Zone 9, systems should be selected for a 24°F design heating temperature and a 97°F design cooling temperature. The Comfort Plan has no upfront cost and includes a predictable monthly payment, maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the life of the plan. Direct purchase means you own the system and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available.
HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—the overall systems and equipment that manage indoor temperature and air quality. A heat pump is one type of HVAC system. It moves heat indoors in winter and outdoors in summer, so one unit can provide both heating and cooling, unlike a setup with a separate furnace and air conditioner.
For Florence homes, Climate Zone 9’s design temperatures—24°F for heating and 97°F for cooling—help guide equipment sizing. At South Carolina’s current electricity price of 14.1¢ per kWh, costs depend on efficiency and household use. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has no upfront cost and includes maintenance and repairs; direct purchase means owning the system.