Columbus, GA 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
Columbus, GA 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 Columbus, GA: 72°F indoor, 95°F outdoor for cooling, and 14°F for 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
Columbus, GA 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 Columbus homeowners.
Home Efficiency Rebate (HER)
Up to $16,000The HER program gives rebates for work that reduces energy use in the home, including replacing HVAC systems, as long as the work reduces total household energy use by at least 20%. Participation requires working with an approved contractor who uses specialized diagnostic tests to determine the best measures.
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR)
Up to $8,000The HEAR program provides rebates to low- to medium-income households for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, heat pump clothes dryers, electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, ovens, and electrical upgrades. The program is designed to encourage switching to more efficient electric appliances.
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.
Columbus, GA homeowners have access to two active Georgia state heat pump rebate programs in 2026. The Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) program offers up to $16,000 for whole-home energy efficiency improvements including heat pump installation, while the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program provides up to $8,000 for qualifying heat pump purchases, with larger rebates for low-income households. Combined with the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000, homeowners can maximize their savings by working with approved contractors and verifying their income eligibility.
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
Columbus sits in IECC Climate Zone 8, which means mild winters with design temperatures around 14°F and hot, humid summers reaching 95°F. This climate profile requires a heat pump that can handle significant cooling loads while still providing reliable heating during occasional cold snaps. At Palmetto, we factor in these local conditions to help you select a properly sized system that keeps your home comfortable year-round. 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
Columbus Electricity Prices
Understanding your electricity costs is essential when planning your home heating and cooling strategy, especially as rates continue to climb in Georgia.
Georgia electricity rates have increased from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.1 cents per kWh in 2024—a 13% jump in just three years that directly impacts your monthly energy bills.
Heat pumps offer a practical solution to rising electricity costs. Because they're 2-3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same amount of heating and cooling comfort.
As electricity rates continue their upward trend, the efficiency advantage of heat pumps becomes increasingly valuable. Lower energy consumption today means meaningful savings that compound year after year, protecting your budget from future rate increases.
Price of Energy: Georgia vs National Average
Columbus Area Utility Providers
Columbus residents receive electricity primarily from Georgia Power. According to 2023 data, Georgia Power's rate was 14.6¢ per kWh—lower than the national average of 16.0¢ but slightly above Georgia's state average of 13.70¢.
Georgia Power's rates in Columbus fall between state and national benchmarks due to the company's diverse energy mix and regional infrastructure costs. While rates exceed the state average by less than a cent, they remain competitive compared to most U.S. markets.
With moderate electricity costs, Columbus homeowners can maximize savings by choosing efficient heating and cooling systems. Heat pumps use significantly less energy than traditional HVAC, meaning lower monthly bills even as you stay comfortable year-round.
Columbus 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.
- Rewards for smarter energy usage
- Energy insights & Dashboard
- Personalized Savings Tools
- Whole Home Energy Management
- Support Whenever You Need It
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 Columbus, GA. The city's Climate Zone 8 designation means mild winters (design temp of 14°F) and warm summers (design temp of 95°F)—ideal conditions where heat pumps operate most efficiently. With Georgia's electricity rate at 14.1¢ per kWh, heat pumps can significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs compared to traditional systems.
Palmetto makes heat pump installation accessible through two options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and all maintenance included, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000. Both paths give Columbus homeowners a practical way to improve home comfort while lowering energy bills year-round in our moderate climate.
Heat pumps are highly efficient in Columbus's Climate Zone 8, where moderate winters (design temperature of 14°F) and warm summers (design temperature of 95°F) create ideal operating conditions. Modern heat pumps typically achieve 200-400% efficiency, meaning they move 2-4 times more energy than they consume, significantly reducing heating and cooling costs compared to traditional systems at Georgia's current 14.1¢ per kWh electricity rate.
Columbus's relatively mild winter temperatures allow heat pumps to operate at peak efficiency throughout most of the year, since they perform best when outdoor temperatures stay above freezing. While efficiency decreases during rare extreme cold snaps, the overall annual performance makes heat pumps an excellent choice for Columbus homeowners. Palmetto offers flexible options including our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000.
The decision between leasing and buying a heat pump in Columbus depends on your financial situation and priorities. If you prefer no upfront costs and want maintenance and repairs covered indefinitely, Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers predictable monthly payments with hassle-free service. If you can pay upfront, purchasing allows you to own the equipment and potentially claim up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Consider your home's long-term plans and budget. Columbus experiences both cold winters (down to 14°F) and hot summers (up to 95°F), so your heat pump will work year-round. Leasing eliminates surprise repair costs and includes warranty coverage, while buying may cost less over time and qualifies for incentives. Both options provide efficient heating and cooling that can lower your energy bills at Georgia's current 14.1¢ per kWh electricity rate.
Heat pump costs in Columbus, GA typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 for a complete installation, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's efficiency rating. Columbus's Climate Zone 8 conditions—with winter lows around 14°F and summer highs near 95°F—mean you'll need a system properly sized for both heating and cooling demands.
Palmetto offers two flexible 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. Both options help Columbus homeowners reduce energy costs with Georgia's current electricity rate of 14.1¢ per kWh.
Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Columbus, GA. With Georgia's electricity rate of 14.1¢ per kWh and the region's moderate climate, heat pumps can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems. They handle both functions efficiently year-round, eliminating the need for separate heating and cooling equipment.
The financial case becomes even stronger with available incentives and flexible payment options. Direct purchase may qualify you for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates. Alternatively, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 upfront cost with predictable monthly payments and included maintenance, making heat pumps accessible without a large initial investment while still delivering long-term energy savings.
In Columbus, GA, licensed HVAC contractors and home energy companies like Palmetto install heat pumps. Professional installers ensure your system is properly sized for Columbus's Climate Zone 8 conditions, where winter temperatures can drop to 14°F and summer highs reach 95°F, making correct installation critical for year-round comfort and efficiency.
Palmetto offers two installation options for Columbus homeowners: 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 professional installation by certified technicians who understand local climate requirements and Georgia's 14.1¢ per kWh electricity rates.
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 Columbus, GA's Climate Zone 8, where winters can drop to 14°F and summers reach 95°F, a modern heat pump handles both temperature extremes efficiently. Unlike traditional HVAC systems that use separate furnaces and air conditioners, a single heat pump does both jobs. At Georgia's current electricity rate of 14.1¢ per kWh, this efficient approach can help manage your energy costs year-round.