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

Orlando, FL Heat Pump Load Calculator

Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on Orlando’s ACCA-standard design conditions: 72°F indoor, 95°F outdoor cooling, and 33°F heating temperatures. For a precise Manual J load calculation and personalized quote, connect 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

Orlando, FL 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 Orlando homeowners.

OUC Heat Pump Rebate

$45 - $1,150

Orlando Utilities Commission offers rebates for high-efficiency heat pump systems. Rebate amounts vary based on system size and SEER2 rating.

Eligibility: Must be OUC residential electric customer. Heat pump must have minimum SEER2 rating of 15.20 or SEER of 16.00. Property must be in OUC service area.

Learn more →

Duke Energy Heat Pump Rebate

$150 - $300

Duke Energy Florida offers rebates for heat pump and air conditioning system replacements and installations for residential customers.

Eligibility: Must complete a free Home Energy Check within 24 months before installation. Must be Duke Energy Florida residential customer. Installation must be by licensed and insured contractor.

Learn more →

JEA Heat Pump Rebate

$200

Jacksonville Electric Authority offers rebates for qualifying ENERGY STAR certified central air conditioners and heat pumps.

Eligibility: Must be JEA residential electric customer. Equipment must be ENERGY STAR certified. Application must be submitted within 90 days of purchase/installation.

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 →

Orlando homeowners have access to several active heat pump rebate programs in 2026. The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) offers rebates ranging from $45 to $1,150 based on system efficiency, while Duke Energy and JEA provide additional utility-based incentives. Combined with the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000 available through 2032, homeowners can stack multiple incentives to reduce installation costs. Palmetto can help you navigate these programs and maximize your savings when upgrading to an efficient heat pump system.

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

Orlando sits in IECC Climate Zone 10, which means mild winters (rarely dipping below 33°F) and hot, humid summers (reaching 95°F). This climate profile heavily favors cooling over heating, making heat pumps an ideal fit—they excel in moderate conditions and dramatically cut cooling costs. At Palmetto, we factor in Orlando's unique climate when sizing and recommending systems. Explore other 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

Orlando Electricity Prices

Understanding Orlando's electricity costs is essential when choosing your home's heating and cooling system—especially as rates continue to evolve.

Florida's electricity rates jumped from 11.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.2 cents in 2023. While costs dipped slightly to 14.1 cents in 2024, Orlando homeowners are paying more for energy than ever before.

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

As electricity rates fluctuate, efficiency becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump's lower energy consumption means your monthly bills stay more manageable today, while protecting your budget against future rate increases over the system's 15-20 year lifespan.

Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
11.9¢
15.0¢
13.9¢
16.0¢
15.2¢
16.5¢
14.1¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Florida

Orlando Area Utility Providers

Orlando residents are served by four main utility providers with varying electricity rates. Based on 2023 data, costs ranged from 12.6¢ per kWh (OUC) to 18.1¢ per kWh (Duke Energy).

Most Orlando providers stayed competitive with the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh. OUC and Sumter Electric Cooperative offered below-average rates, while Duke Energy ran slightly higher due to infrastructure investments and service territory characteristics.

Understanding your local electricity rates matters when considering heating and cooling options. Heat pumps use electricity more efficiently than traditional HVAC systems, which means lower energy bills regardless of whether your provider's rates run high or low.

Orlando Utilities Electricity Rates

OUC
12.60¢
-21%
Duke Energy
18.10¢
+13%
FPL
15.00¢
-6%
Sumter Electric Cooperative
13.00¢
-19%
FL Average
15.20¢
-5%
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 Orlando. With a mild winter climate (design heating temperature of 33°F) and hot summers reaching 95°F, heat pumps efficiently handle both heating and cooling year-round. They use significantly less energy than traditional systems, which matters when Florida electricity costs average 14.2¢ per kWh.

Orlando homeowners can choose between Palmetto's Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and all maintenance included, or direct purchase to own the equipment and potentially claim up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Either way, heat pumps deliver consistent comfort while reducing energy costs in Orlando's climate.

Heat pumps are exceptionally efficient in Orlando's climate. Operating in Climate Zone 10, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 33°F, heat pumps maintain efficiency ratings of 300-400% compared to traditional heating systems at around 95%. This means for every dollar spent on electricity at Florida's current rate of 14.2¢ per kWh, heat pumps deliver three to four dollars worth of heating or cooling.

Orlando's mild winters and hot summers make heat pumps ideal year-round. Unlike northern climates where extreme cold reduces efficiency, Orlando's moderate design heating temperature allows heat pumps to operate at peak performance during winter while providing cost-effective cooling when temperatures reach 95°F in summer. This climate advantage translates to lower energy bills and consistent comfort throughout the year.

The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Orlando depends on your financial situation and preferences. Buying means paying upfront but owning the equipment outright, plus you may qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act. Leasing through Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs in your monthly payment.

For Orlando homeowners, leasing can be attractive since year-round cooling demands in Climate Zone 10 mean your heat pump works hard—and included maintenance protects you from unexpected repair costs. Buying makes sense if you want to maximize tax incentives and prefer ownership. Consider how long you'll stay in your home and whether predictable monthly costs or upfront savings matter more to you.

Heat pump installation costs in Orlando typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 for a complete system, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the unit's efficiency rating. Orlando's Climate Zone 10 conditions—with mild winters and warm summers—make heat pumps particularly cost-effective, as they'll efficiently handle both heating and cooling year-round.

Palmetto offers two ways to get a heat pump that fit different budgets and preferences. Our Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes a predictable monthly payment with all maintenance and repairs covered. Alternatively, direct purchase allows you to own the equipment outright and potentially qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local Florida rebates.

Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Orlando. With Florida's electricity rate at 14.2¢ per kWh and Orlando's mild winters, heat pumps can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems. The savings add up quickly given year-round HVAC use in Climate Zone 10.

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

In Orlando, heat pumps are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who specialize in heating and cooling systems. These professionals assess your home's specific needs in Climate Zone 10, where cooling demands reach 95°F and occasional heating is needed when temperatures drop to around 33°F, then properly size and install the equipment.

Palmetto offers heat pump installation in Orlando through qualified local contractors with two flexible options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and all maintenance included, or direct purchase where you own the system outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both options ensure professional installation tailored to Orlando's unique climate needs.

A heat pump is actually a type of HVAC system. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—it's an umbrella term for any equipment that controls your home's temperature and air quality. Heat pumps are unique because they both heat and cool your home using electricity, transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion.

In Orlando's Climate Zone 10, where temperatures range from 33°F in winter to 95°F in summer, heat pumps work efficiently year-round at Florida's current electricity rate of 14.2¢ per kWh. Traditional HVAC systems often use separate equipment for heating and cooling, while a heat pump handles both functions in one unit, making it a streamlined solution for Central Florida homeowners.