Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: February 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

Hartford, CT 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 Hartford, CT: 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

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

Hartford, CT 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 Hartford homeowners.

Energize CT Air Source Heat Pump

$250 per ton

Provides $250 per ton rebate on systems used to replace oil, propane, natural gas, or electric resistance as a primary heating source.

Eligibility: Available to residential electric customers of Eversource and UI. Equipment must be installed by a contractor participating in the Energize CT Heat Pump Installer Network.

Learn more →

Energize CT Energy Optimization

$750 per ton

Provides $750 per ton rebate on systems used to replace oil, propane, natural gas, or electric resistance as a primary heating source.

Eligibility: Equipment must be installed by a contractor participating in the Energize CT Heat Pump Installer Network. This program applies when replacing fossil fuel heating systems as the primary source.

Learn more →

Energize CT Heat Pump Water Heater

$900

Provides $900 for qualifying ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater units.

Eligibility: Available to residential electric service customers of Eversource and UI. Unit must be installed in the service territory of the participating utility and purchase must be made between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.

Learn more →

Federal IRA Tax Credit

Up to $2,000

The Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations through 2032.

Eligibility: Available to homeowners who purchase and install a qualifying heat pump system. Claimed on your annual federal tax return.

Learn more →

Hartford homeowners have access to multiple active heat pump incentive programs in 2026. Energize Connecticut offers rebates of $250-$750 per ton for air source heat pumps and $900 for heat pump water heaters, depending on the system type and what you're replacing. Combined with the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000, homeowners can significantly reduce the cost of upgrading to efficient heat pump systems. Palmetto can help you navigate these programs, verify your eligibility, and maximize your total rebate savings by coordinating state and federal 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

Hartford sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters that can dip to -5°F and warm summers reaching 91°F. These temperature swings matter when sizing your heat pump—you need a system that handles both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Hartford's climate and can help you find the right heat pump for your home. Explore other climate 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

Hartford Electricity Prices

Hartford residents face some of the highest electricity rates in the nation—and understanding these costs is key to managing your energy budget.

Connecticut's electricity costs have climbed dramatically, jumping from 21.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 28.8 cents per kWh in 2024—nearly double the national average of 16.5 cents.

Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising rates. Because they're 2-3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they deliver the same comfort while using significantly less electricity per unit of heating or cooling.

As electricity prices continue their upward trend, that efficiency gap translates to meaningful savings year after year. Investing in a heat pump today means protecting your household budget from tomorrow's rate increases.

Price of Energy: Connecticut vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
40¢
13.7¢
21.9¢
15.0¢
24.6¢
16.0¢
29.9¢
16.5¢
28.8¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Connecticut

Hartford Area Utility Providers

Hartford residents receive electricity from Eversource, which charged 31.6¢ per kWh in 2023—above both the national average of 16.0¢ and Connecticut's state average of 29.90¢ per kWh.

Connecticut's electricity costs reflect the state's reliance on natural gas and limited energy resources, plus transmission costs from regional grid infrastructure. These factors consistently place Connecticut among states with higher electricity rates.

While Hartford's electricity costs run high, heat pumps can actually reduce your total energy spending. Their exceptional efficiency means they use significantly less energy than traditional heating systems, helping offset higher per-kWh rates.

Hartford Utilities Electricity Rates

Eversource
31.60¢
+98%
CT Average
29.90¢
+87%
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, heat pumps make excellent sense in Hartford. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently in Climate Zone 6, where Hartford is located, handling temperatures down to -5°F and below. With Connecticut's electricity rate at 28.8¢ per kWh, heat pumps can significantly reduce heating costs compared to oil or propane systems while providing efficient cooling during summer months.

Hartford homeowners have flexible options to go electric. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers heat pump installation with $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, while direct purchase allows you to own the system outright and qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates.

Heat pumps perform very efficiently in Hartford's Climate Zone 6, even during cold winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are designed to operate effectively down to Hartford's design heating temperature of -5°F, delivering 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume. This efficiency helps offset Connecticut's higher electricity costs of 28.8¢ per kWh.

During Hartford's milder spring, fall, and summer months (with design cooling temps around 91°F), heat pumps excel at both heating and cooling with exceptional efficiency. Palmetto offers flexible options to help you benefit from this efficiency: our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and included maintenance, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act.

The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Hartford depends on your financial priorities and preferences. If you prefer no upfront costs and want maintenance included, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers predictable monthly payments with all repairs covered. If you can invest upfront, purchasing allows you to own the equipment and potentially claim up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Hartford's cold winters (design temperatures down to -5°F) and Connecticut's high electricity rates at 28.8¢ per kWh make heat pumps a smart long-term investment either way. Leasing eliminates maintenance worries in demanding conditions, while buying maximizes savings through incentives and ownership. Consider your budget, how long you plan to stay in your home, and whether you prefer immediate savings or long-term equity.

Heat pump costs in Hartford typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a complete installation, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's capacity needed to handle Hartford's Climate Zone 6 conditions (winter lows around -5°F). This upfront investment can qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus potential local Connecticut rebates.

Palmetto offers two ways to get a heat pump that fit different budgets. Our Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes a predictable monthly payment with all maintenance and repairs covered for life. Alternatively, direct purchase allows you to own the equipment outright and claim available tax credits—both options help Hartford homeowners reduce energy costs with Connecticut's 28.8¢ per kWh electricity rates.

Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Hartford, especially with Connecticut's electricity rate of 28.8¢ per kWh. Heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems because they move heat rather than generate it, making them significantly more efficient even in Climate Zone 6 conditions.

Palmetto makes heat pumps more accessible with two payment options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and maintenance included, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000. Most Hartford homeowners see the investment pay for itself through lower energy bills within 5-10 years, while enjoying year-round comfort.

Heat pumps in Hartford are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who are experienced with Climate Zone 6 requirements, where systems must handle design temperatures from -5°F in winter to 91°F in summer. Palmetto partners with certified local installers who understand Connecticut's specific climate needs and building codes to ensure proper installation and performance.

Palmetto offers two installation options for Hartford homeowners: 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 trained technicians who ensure your system operates efficiently in Hartford's variable climate.

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—it's an umbrella term for systems that control your home's temperature and air quality. A heat pump is actually a type of HVAC system that both heats and cools your home by transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion, making it highly efficient even in Hartford's Climate Zone 6 conditions.

Unlike traditional HVAC systems that use separate furnaces and air conditioners, a heat pump handles both jobs in one unit. This efficiency matters in Connecticut, where electricity costs 28.8¢ per kWh—heat pumps typically use less energy than conventional systems. Palmetto makes installation accessible through our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost, or direct purchase options that may qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000.