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

Roanoke, VA Heat Pump Load Calculator

This square-foot calculator offers a quick estimate of your home’s heating and cooling needs. It uses 72°F indoors, with Roanoke’s ACCA-standard design conditions of 92°F outdoors for cooling and 5°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

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

Roanoke, VA 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 Roanoke homeowners.

Home Performance Program

Up to $400

Appalachian Power offers rebates for eligible ductless mini-split heat pumps, up to $400 per unit. Some incentive amounts are available only through Home Performance Plus.

Eligibility: For eligible residential homes in Appalachian Power’s Virginia service territory; the home must be heated by electricity to qualify for rebates. A home energy assessment and an approved contractor are required.

Learn more →

Efficient Products Program

$300 - $400

Appalachian Power offers rebates for qualifying ductless mini-split heat pumps and ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters. Mini-split rebates are up to $300; heat pump water heater rebates are up to $400.

Eligibility: For residential Appalachian Power customers in Virginia who purchase qualifying products. A mini-split rebate through this program cannot be combined with a mini-split rebate through the Home Performance Program.

Learn more →

Roanoke-area homeowners with an Appalachian Power account may qualify for utility rebates on ductless mini-split heat pumps and ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters; Virginia’s HEAR and HOMES rebates are not yet available. Palmetto can help homeowners identify applicable incentives, navigate rebate applications, and maximize savings on an eligible upgrade.

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

Roanoke is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7, with a 5°F design heating temperature and a 92°F design cooling temperature. In practice, homeowners need a heat pump that can handle chilly winter stretches and hot, humid summer days. Palmetto understands Roanoke’s seasonal conditions and can recommend a system suited to local heating and cooling needs. Explore other climate zones below or enter your ZIP code to confirm your zone.

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

Roanoke Electricity Prices

Electricity prices are part of the heat pump math for Roanoke homeowners.

Virginia’s average residential electricity price rose from 12.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.5 cents in 2024—about a 21% increase. It remained below the U.S. average, which reached 16.5 cents in 2024.

That makes efficiency worth considering: heat pumps can deliver 2–3 times as much heating or cooling per unit of electricity as traditional HVAC systems, helping Roanoke households use less power to stay comfortable.

Over a system’s lifetime, lower electricity use can help offset future rate increases and make heating and cooling costs more manageable. Actual savings depend on your home, equipment, and energy rates.

Price of Energy: Virginia vs National Average

0¢
10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
12.0¢
15.0¢
13.3¢
16.0¢
14.3¢
16.5¢
14.5¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Virginia

Roanoke Area Utility Providers

For Roanoke residents served by Appalachian Power, electricity averaged 15.9¢ per kilowatt-hour in 2023. The latest utility data available is from 2023; 2024 figures are not yet available.

That rate was 0.1¢ below the 2023 national average of 16.0¢, but 1.6¢ above Virginia’s 14.30¢ average. Utility rates can reflect provider-specific power and service costs; these figures don’t show which factors explain the difference.

Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it directly, making them highly efficient. Even with electricity costs near the national average, a heat pump can reduce total energy spending compared with traditional HVAC, though savings depend on the home and system.

Roanoke Utilities Electricity Rates

Appalachian Power
15.90¢
-1%
VA Average
14.30¢
-11%
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

Yes. A heat pump can make sense in Roanoke because it provides both heating and cooling, but performance depends on choosing and sizing equipment for local conditions. At the stated 5°F heating and 92°F cooling design temperatures, a cold-climate model and suitable backup heat can help maintain comfort during the coldest weather.

At Virginia’s 14.5¢-per-kWh electricity rate, operating costs depend on home efficiency, equipment performance, and the fuel replaced. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has $0 upfront, predictable monthly payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage included; direct purchase means owning the system. No federal tax credit applies to 2026 installations, though purchase rebates may be available where offered.

Heat pumps can work efficiently in Roanoke, but performance depends on equipment and sizing. The area’s Climate Zone 7 design temperatures—5°F for heating and 92°F for cooling—mean a properly selected cold-climate model can handle winter cold and summer heat. Efficiency generally drops as outdoor temperatures approach 5°F.

At Virginia’s current electricity price of 14.5¢ per kWh, operating costs depend on the heat pump’s seasonal efficiency, your home’s insulation, and thermostat settings. Ask an installer to size equipment for local design conditions and explain whether supplemental heat may be needed during the coldest weather; compare projected costs, not efficiency ratings alone.

Whether you lease or buy depends on your upfront budget, ownership preferences, and willingness to handle maintenance. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has no upfront cost, predictable monthly payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage for the plan’s life. Buying requires a one-time payment but gives you ownership and may suit homeowners who prefer control.

Roanoke’s design temperatures of 5°F for heating and 92°F for cooling make proper heat pump sizing important. At Virginia’s average electricity price of 14.5¢ per kWh, operating costs depend on your home’s energy use and system efficiency. For systems installed in 2026, no federal heat pump tax credit is available; purchases may qualify for state or utility rebates where offered.

There isn’t one set price for a heat pump in Roanoke: installed cost depends on home size, insulation, ductwork, system type, and electrical work. Local sizing matters because Roanoke’s Climate Zone 7 design temperatures are 5°F for heating and 92°F for cooling. An in-home assessment is needed for a firm quote.

Palmetto offers a $0-upfront Comfort Plan with predictable monthly payments, maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage, or direct purchase with one upfront payment and ownership. At Virginia’s current electricity price of 14.5¢ per kWh, operating costs depend on usage and system efficiency. No federal heat pump tax credit applies to 2026 installations; ask about active state or utility rebates.

In Roanoke, a heat pump can be financially worthwhile when its heating and cooling savings outweigh installation and operating costs. Virginia electricity averages 14.5¢ per kWh, so results depend on your current heating fuel, equipment efficiency, energy use, and rates. Roanoke’s cold 5°F design temperature makes proper sizing and cold-weather performance important.

Compare costs over time, including maintenance, rather than judging by purchase price. Palmetto’s Comfort Plan has no upfront cost and predictable monthly payments, with maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage included; direct purchase gives you ownership and may qualify for state or utility rebates where available. No federal heat pump tax credit applies to systems installed in 2026.

Homeowners in Roanoke, Virginia, can get heat pump installation through Palmetto. A heat pump professional assesses the home, selects equipment sized for its layout and insulation, and arranges installation. Roanoke’s winter design temperature is 5°F and summer design temperature is 92°F, so proper sizing matters for year-round comfort.

Customers can choose Palmetto’s Comfort Plan, with no upfront cost, predictable monthly payments, and maintenance, repairs, and warranty coverage included for the life of the plan, or purchase a system outright with a one-time payment. Purchased systems may qualify for state or utility rebates where available; federal heat pump tax credits are not available for systems installed in 2026.

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—the overall system and services that manage a home’s indoor comfort. A heat pump is one type of HVAC equipment: it moves heat rather than creating it by burning fuel, and most models can both heat and cool. So, a heat pump is HVAC, not an alternative to HVAC.

For Roanoke homeowners, choosing a heat pump means selecting a heating and cooling system suited to local conditions. Equipment should be sized for the area’s 5°F design heating temperature and 92°F design cooling temperature. Palmetto offers a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and maintenance and repairs included, or direct purchase, where you own the system.