Aurora, CO 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
Aurora, CO Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on square footage. It uses ACCA-standard design conditions for Aurora, CO: 91°F for cooling, -5°F for heating, and a 72°F indoor target. For a precise Manual J load calculation and personalized quote, connect with our 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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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
Aurora, CO 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 Aurora homeowners.
Colorado HEAR Program
Up to $8,000The Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program provides up to $14,000 in rebates for income-qualified households to install heat pumps and other electric upgrades. Rebates are applied as point-of-sale discounts through registered contractors.
Colorado Heat Pump Tax Credit
Up to $1,000State tax credit for heat pump installations provided as an upfront discount at the time of installation through registered contractors. Contractors are required to pass at least 33% of the credit to customers as a discount.
Federal IRA Tax Credit
Up to $2,000The Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations through 2032.
Aurora homeowners have access to multiple heat pump incentive programs in 2026. The Colorado HEAR program offers up to $8,000 in rebates for income-qualified households, while the state heat pump tax credit provides up to $1,000 as an upfront discount through registered contractors. Combined with the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000, homeowners can potentially save significant amounts on heat pump installations. Palmetto can help you navigate these programs, verify eligibility, connect with registered contractors, and maximize all available rebates and 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
Aurora sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters (design temps down to -5°F) and warm summers (up to 91°F). This temperature range directly impacts which heat pump systems will keep your home comfortable year-round without overworking or underperforming. At Palmetto, we factor in Aurora's specific climate when sizing and recommending systems. Explore the climate 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
Aurora Electricity Prices
Understanding Aurora's electricity costs helps you make smarter decisions about your home's heating and cooling systems.
Colorado's electricity rates have climbed from 13.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.1 cents in 2024—a 15% increase in just three years, impacting every Aurora household's energy bills.
Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising rates. Because they're 2-3x more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same heating and cooling comfort.
As electricity costs continue climbing, that efficiency gap means real savings. A heat pump's lower energy consumption helps offset rate increases, protecting your budget while keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Price of Energy: Colorado vs National Average
Aurora Area Utility Providers
Aurora residents are served by two main utility providers: Xcel Energy at 14.30¢ per kWh and CORE Electric Cooperative at 14.50¢ per kWh (2023 data). Both rates sit comfortably below the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
Colorado's competitive electricity rates stem from the state's diverse energy mix, including natural gas, wind, and solar resources. Aurora's rates align closely with the state average of 14.30¢, reflecting efficient regional infrastructure and favorable energy policies.
With below-average electricity costs, Aurora is well-positioned for heat pump adoption. Heat pumps use electricity more efficiently than traditional HVAC systems—often delivering three times more heating or cooling energy than they consume—making them cost-effective even in higher-rate areas.
Aurora Utilities Electricity Rates
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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 make sense in Aurora. Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently even at Aurora's design heating temperature of -5°F, and they provide both heating and cooling for the area's 91°F summer days. With Colorado's electricity rate at 15.1¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems while keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Palmetto makes heat pump installation accessible through two options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and all maintenance included, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000. Both approaches help Aurora homeowners transition to efficient heating and cooling without the complexity, making it easier to lower energy costs while staying comfortable in Climate Zone 6 conditions.
Heat pumps perform exceptionally well in Aurora's Climate Zone 6, efficiently heating homes even when temperatures drop to the design low of -5°F. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can deliver 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume, making them significantly more efficient than traditional resistance heating, especially with Colorado's electricity rate of 15.1¢ per kWh.
During Aurora's cooling season, with design temperatures reaching 91°F, heat pumps also provide efficient air conditioning while using less energy than standard AC units. This year-round efficiency means lower utility bills in both winter and summer, and Palmetto makes installation accessible through our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost or direct purchase options that may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Aurora depends on your financial situation and priorities. Buying offers immediate ownership and access to federal tax credits up to $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act, but requires significant upfront investment. Leasing through a Comfort Plan means $0 down with predictable monthly payments and all maintenance included.
For Aurora's Climate Zone 6 conditions, where temperatures range from -5°F to 91°F, ongoing maintenance matters for system longevity. If you prefer avoiding repair costs and want hassle-free service, leasing provides peace of mind. If you can manage the upfront cost and want to maximize tax incentives while building home equity, purchasing may offer better long-term value.
Heat pump costs in Aurora typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a complete installation, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system capacity needed to handle Aurora's Climate Zone 6 conditions (winter lows around -5°F). The specific price varies based on whether you need a ducted or ductless system and any necessary electrical upgrades.
Palmetto offers two payment options to fit your budget: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and predictable monthly payments that include all maintenance and repairs, or direct purchase where you own the equipment outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act plus local Colorado rebates.
Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Aurora, especially with Colorado's moderate electricity rates at 15.1¢ per kWh. Heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, and direct purchase options may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates.
Palmetto makes heat pumps accessible with two payment options: a Comfort Plan lease with $0 upfront and all maintenance included, or direct purchase for homeowners who want to own outright and maximize incentives. Even in Aurora's Climate Zone 6 with winter temperatures reaching -5°F, modern heat pumps deliver efficient year-round comfort while lowering energy bills.
Heat pumps in Aurora are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who are trained to handle Climate Zone 6 requirements, including design temperatures of -5°F for heating and 91°F for cooling. Palmetto partners with certified local installers who understand Aurora's specific climate needs and building codes to ensure your system performs efficiently year-round.
Palmetto offers two installation options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost that includes all maintenance and repairs, or direct purchase where you own the equipment outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both options include professional installation by experienced technicians who ensure your heat pump is properly sized and configured for your home.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—it's an umbrella term for any system that heats or cools your home. A heat pump is actually a specific type of HVAC system that both heats and cools by transferring heat rather than burning fuel. Unlike traditional furnaces and air conditioners that work as separate units, a heat pump handles both jobs in one efficient system.
In Aurora's Climate Zone 6, where temperatures range from -5°F in winter to 91°F in summer, modern heat pumps can handle both extremes while using electricity at 15.1¢ per kWh—often more efficiently than conventional HVAC systems. Palmetto makes upgrading simple with two options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and all maintenance included, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000.