Aurora, IL 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, IL 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, IL: 72°F indoor, 91°F outdoor cooling, and -5°F heating temperatures. For an official 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
Heat Pump Financing in Aurora
While Illinois has allocated $263 million for the HOMES and HEAR rebate programs through the Inflation Reduction Act, these programs have not yet launched in Aurora as of 2026. The federal air-source heat pump tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners should contact their local utility (ComEd, Nicor Gas, or Peoples Gas) directly to inquire about any available rebates. Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers $0 upfront cost as an alternative to purchasing a heat pump outright, allowing you to access efficient heating and cooling without waiting for rebate programs or managing tax credits.
Federal IRA Tax Credit
30% of costsThe Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit for qualifying geothermal heat pump installations through 2032. Note: The federal air-source heat pump credit (Section 25C) expired December 31, 2025.
Palmetto Comfort Plan: $0 Upfront Heat Pump Leasing
Even without local rebates, Palmetto's Comfort Plan makes upgrading easy. You get a high-efficiency heat pump installed with $0 upfront cost, predictable monthly payments, and all maintenance and repairs included for the life of the plan.
Incentive information is based on publicly available data as of 2026 and may change. Contact program administrators to verify current availability and eligibility requirements. The federal air-source heat pump tax credit expired December 31, 2025.
04
Climate Zones
Aurora sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters dipping to -5°F and warm summers reaching 91°F. This temperature range matters when selecting a heat pump—you need a system that can handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Aurora's climate and can help you choose the right heat pump for year-round comfort. Explore other 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 is key to making smart decisions about your home's heating and cooling efficiency.
Illinois electricity rates have climbed from 13.2 cents per kWh in 2021 to 15.9 cents per kWh in 2024—a 20% increase that directly impacts your monthly energy bills.
Heat pumps offer a practical solution to rising costs. 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 rates continue their upward trend, efficiency becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump's lower energy consumption means your monthly bills stay manageable, even as rates rise over time.
Price of Energy: Illinois vs National Average
Aurora Area Utility Providers
Aurora residents are served primarily by ComEd (Commonwealth Edison), which charged an average of 14.8¢ per kWh in 2023—below both the Illinois state average of 15.7¢ and the national average of 16.0¢.
ComEd's rates benefit from Illinois's diverse energy mix and robust transmission infrastructure. The state's nuclear generation capacity and access to affordable natural gas help keep electricity costs competitive compared to other regions.
Even with below-average rates, heat pumps offer Aurora homeowners meaningful savings. Their exceptional efficiency—moving rather than generating heat—means lower electricity consumption overall, reducing energy bills compared to traditional furnaces and air conditioners.
Aurora 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 sense in Aurora. Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently even when temperatures drop to -5°F, which matches Aurora's winter design temperature in Climate Zone 6. They provide both heating and cooling, replacing your furnace and air conditioner with one system that typically uses less energy than traditional equipment.
With Illinois electricity rates at 15.9¢ per kWh, many Aurora homeowners see meaningful energy savings. Palmetto makes heat pumps 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 help you reduce energy costs while staying comfortable year-round.
Heat pumps perform very efficiently in Aurora's Climate Zone 6, even during cold winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain strong efficiency down to Aurora's design heating temperature of -5°F, typically delivering 2-3 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. At Illinois' current electricity rate of 15.9¢ per kWh, this efficiency translates to lower heating costs compared to traditional systems.
During Aurora's milder seasons and summer months (with design cooling temperatures around 91°F), heat pumps operate at peak efficiency for both heating and cooling. Palmetto offers heat pumps through a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or through direct purchase where you may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits, making efficient heating and cooling more accessible.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Aurora depends on your financial priorities and preferences. Leasing through a Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, making budgeting predictable. Buying means paying upfront but you'll own the equipment and may qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000 plus local Illinois rebates.
Consider your situation: if avoiding a large upfront cost and maintenance responsibilities appeals to you, leasing offers peace of mind with covered repairs throughout Aurora's cold winters (design temp: -5°F). If you prefer ownership and want to maximize available incentives while controlling your equipment long-term, purchasing might better suit your needs. Both options help you save on Aurora's 15.9¢/kWh electricity rates.
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's efficiency rating. Climate Zone 6's cold winters (design temp: -5°F) may require a more robust system, which can affect the final price.
Palmetto offers two payment options to fit your budget: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and predictable monthly payments including all maintenance, or direct purchase where you own the system outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act plus local rebates.
Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Aurora, especially with Illinois electricity rates at 15.9¢ 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 highly efficient even in Climate Zone 6 conditions.
Palmetto makes heat pumps more accessible 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. Most Aurora homeowners see the investment pay for itself through lower energy bills within several years, while enjoying year-round comfort.
Heat pumps in Aurora are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who are trained to work with these systems in Climate Zone 6 conditions, where winter temperatures can drop to -5°F. Palmetto partners with certified local installers who understand Aurora's specific climate requirements and ensure your heat pump is properly sized and installed for optimal performance year-round.
Palmetto offers two installation options for Aurora homeowners: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost that includes all maintenance and repairs, or direct purchase where you own the equipment and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Both options include professional installation by experienced technicians who handle permits, equipment setup, and system testing.
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—it's an umbrella term for all systems that heat and cool your home. A heat pump is actually a type of HVAC system that provides both heating and cooling in one unit, transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion like traditional furnaces do.
In Aurora's Climate Zone 6, where winter temperatures drop to -5°F, modern heat pumps can efficiently handle both seasonal extremes while typically using less electricity than separate heating and cooling systems. With Illinois electricity rates at 15.9¢ per kWh, this efficiency can translate to meaningful savings on your energy bills year-round.