Sarasota, FL 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
Sarasota, FL Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your home’s heating and cooling load based on square footage. It uses ACCA-standard design conditions for Sarasota, FL: 72°F indoor, 95°F outdoor cooling, and 33°F heating. 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
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
Sarasota, 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 Sarasota homeowners.
FPL Heat Pump and AC Rebate
$200Florida Power and Light offers rebates for high-efficiency heat pump and air conditioning system installations. Rebates are available for qualifying systems installed by FPL Participating Independent Contractors.
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.
Sarasota homeowners can take advantage of Florida Power and Light's heat pump rebate program, which offers $200 for qualifying high-efficiency systems installed by approved contractors. Combined with the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000, homeowners can significantly reduce their heat pump installation costs. Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers an alternative path to energy-efficient heating and cooling with $0 upfront cost, allowing homeowners to benefit from heat pump technology without the initial investment burden.
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
Sarasota sits in IECC Climate Zone 10, which means mild winters (rarely dropping below 33°F) and hot, humid summers (reaching 95°F). This cooling-dominant climate requires a heat pump sized primarily for efficient air conditioning, with heating as a bonus. At Palmetto, we understand exactly what works in Sarasota's subtropical conditions and can help you choose the right system. Explore other 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
Sarasota Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Sarasota helps you make smarter decisions about your home's heating and cooling system.
Florida electricity rates jumped from 11.9 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.2 cents in 2023—a 28% increase in just two years. While rates dipped slightly to 14.1 cents in 2024, the trend shows energy costs continue climbing.
Heat pumps address rising electricity costs by using 2-3 times less energy than traditional HVAC systems. For every dollar you spend on electricity, a heat pump delivers more heating or cooling to your Sarasota home.
As electricity rates fluctuate, efficiency becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump's lower energy consumption means your monthly bills stay more manageable over time, protecting your budget against future rate increases while keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Price of Energy: Florida vs National Average
Sarasota Area Utility Providers
Sarasota residents are served primarily by two utility providers: Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light (FPL). According to 2023 data, Duke Energy's rates averaged 18.1¢ per kWh, while FPL's rates were 15.0¢ per kWh.
Duke Energy's rates sit above both the national average (16.0¢) and Florida's state average (15.2¢), while FPL's rates fall slightly below both benchmarks. These differences reflect each utility's infrastructure investments, fuel sources, and service territory characteristics across the region.
Understanding your electricity rates matters when considering home comfort upgrades. Heat pumps use significantly less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems, which means even in areas with higher electricity costs, they can reduce your overall energy spending through superior efficiency.
Sarasota Utilities Electricity Rates
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.
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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 excellent sense in Sarasota. With a mild winter climate (design heating temperature of 33°F) and hot summers reaching 95°F, heat pumps efficiently handle both cooling and heating needs year-round. They typically use less electricity than traditional systems, which matters when Florida's electricity costs average 14.2¢ per kWh.
Sarasota homeowners have flexible options to get started. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers heat pump installation with $0 upfront cost and includes all maintenance and repairs, while direct purchase may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Both approaches deliver energy-efficient comfort suited to Sarasota's subtropical climate.
Heat pumps are exceptionally efficient in Sarasota's climate. Operating in Climate Zone 10, where winter temperatures rarely drop below 33°F, heat pumps maintain optimal performance year-round without the efficiency losses seen in colder regions. Modern heat pumps can deliver 2-4 times more heating or cooling energy than the electricity they consume, making them highly cost-effective with Florida's current electricity rate of 14.2¢ per kWh.
Sarasota's mild winters mean your heat pump spends most of the year in cooling mode, where it excels at efficiently removing heat and humidity from your home. The moderate design heating temperature of 33°F allows heat pumps to avoid the supplemental heating needs common in northern climates. Whether you choose Palmetto's Comfort Plan with zero upfront costs and included maintenance, or direct purchase to access federal tax credits up to $2,000, you'll benefit from lower energy bills compared to traditional HVAC systems.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Sarasota depends on your financial situation and preferences. Leasing through Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, making it ideal if you want predictable costs without maintenance concerns. Buying outright means you own the equipment and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus potential local rebates.
In Sarasota's Climate Zone 10, where cooling dominates most of the year with temperatures reaching 95°F, both options deliver year-round comfort and energy savings at Florida's current 14.2¢ per kWh electricity rate. Consider leasing if you prefer no upfront investment and covered repairs, or buying if you want to maximize tax incentives and own your equipment. Palmetto can help you evaluate which option aligns best with your home energy goals.
In Sarasota, heat pump installation typically costs between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's efficiency rating. Factors like your home's square footage, insulation quality, and whether modifications are needed to your electrical system can all influence the final price.
Palmetto offers two ways to get a heat pump that fit different budgets and preferences. Our Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs in a predictable monthly payment. 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 rebates.
In Sarasota's climate, heat pumps are typically worth the investment due to their efficiency in both heating and cooling. They use significantly less electricity than traditional systems, which matters when Florida's electricity costs average 14.2¢ per kWh. Most homeowners see lower monthly energy bills that offset their initial investment over time.
Palmetto makes heat pumps financially accessible through two options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and predictable monthly payments including all maintenance, or direct purchase where you may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Your specific savings depend on your home's size, current system efficiency, and energy usage patterns.
Heat pumps in Sarasota 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 design temperatures range from 33°F in winter to 95°F in summer, ensuring proper system sizing and efficient performance year-round.
Palmetto offers professional heat pump installation in Sarasota through two flexible options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or direct purchase where you own the equipment and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both options include expert installation by certified technicians who understand Sarasota's unique climate requirements.
HVAC is an umbrella term that stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—it describes any system that controls 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, making it highly efficient in Sarasota's mild Climate Zone 10 conditions.
Unlike traditional HVAC systems that use separate equipment for heating and cooling, a heat pump handles both functions in one unit. This efficiency matters in Florida where electricity costs 14.2¢ per kWh—heat pumps typically use less energy than conventional systems. Palmetto makes installation accessible through flexible options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and included maintenance, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000.