Rockville, MD 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
Rockville, MD Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on Rockville’s ACCA-standard design conditions: 5°F for heating, 92°F for cooling, and 72°F indoors. 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
Rockville, MD 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 Rockville homeowners.
EmPOWER Home Performance
Up to $15,000Maryland's flagship program offering rebates for heat pump installations and comprehensive home energy upgrades through participating utilities including BGE, Pepco, and Potomac Edison.
Electrify MC Heat Pump
$1,000 - $2,500Montgomery County program providing rebates to help residents transition from fossil fuels to electric heat pumps and other electric appliances.
Maryland Geothermal Rebate
$3,000Maryland Energy Administration program providing rebates for qualifying geothermal heating and cooling system installations.
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.
Rockville homeowners have access to several active heat pump rebate programs in 2026. Maryland's EmPOWER program through participating utilities offers up to $15,000 for heat pump installations, while Montgomery County's Electrify MC program provides $1,000-$2,500 rebates. 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, coordinate applications, and maximize your total savings across state, local, 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
Rockville sits in IECC Climate Zone 7, which means cold winters with design temperatures around 5°F and warm summers reaching 92°F. This temperature range directly impacts which heat pump systems will keep your home comfortable year-round. At Palmetto, we account for Rockville's specific climate when sizing and selecting equipment—ensuring your system handles both January freezes and July heat. Explore the 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
Rockville Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Rockville helps you make smarter decisions about your home's heating and cooling systems.
Maryland electricity rates have climbed significantly in recent years. Rockville residents saw rates jump from 13.1 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.9 cents per kWh in 2024—a 37% increase in just three years.
Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising electricity costs. Because they're 2-3x more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same amount of heating and cooling to your home.
As electricity rates continue climbing, that efficiency gap becomes more valuable. A heat pump's lower energy consumption means your monthly bills stay more manageable, even as rates increase—protecting your budget for years to come.
Price of Energy: Maryland vs National Average
Rockville Area Utility Providers
Rockville residents are served by two major utility providers: Pepco and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). Based on 2023 data, Pepco's average electricity rate was 18.2¢ per kWh, while BGE's was 16.5¢ per kWh.
Both utilities' rates reflect Maryland's energy mix and regional infrastructure costs. Pepco's rate sits above the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, while BGE's rate aligns closely with Maryland's state average of 16.60¢ per kWh.
Even with rates above the national average, heat pumps can reduce your total energy spending. Their efficiency means they use less electricity than traditional heating and cooling systems, helping offset higher per-kilowatt-hour costs over time.
Rockville Utilities Electricity Rates
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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 Rockville. As a Climate Zone 7 area with winter temperatures reaching 5°F and summers hitting 92°F, modern heat pumps are engineered to handle both heating and cooling efficiently year-round. With Maryland's electricity rate at 17.9¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems.
Rockville homeowners can choose between two practical options: Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront with maintenance included, or direct purchase where you own the system outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both approaches provide reliable heating and cooling while reducing energy costs compared to older HVAC systems.
Heat pumps perform very efficiently in Rockville's climate, which falls in Climate Zone 7. Modern heat pumps can maintain excellent efficiency even when temperatures drop to the area's design heating temperature of 5°F, delivering 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume. With Maryland's electricity rate at 17.9¢ per kWh, this efficiency translates to meaningful savings on your heating and cooling bills year-round.
Rockville's moderate climate—with winter lows around 5°F and summer highs near 92°F—is well-suited for heat pump technology. Unlike older models, today's cold-climate heat pumps maintain strong performance throughout the heating season without requiring backup systems. 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.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Rockville depends on your financial priorities and homeownership plans. Palmetto's Comfort Plan (lease) requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, making it ideal if you prefer predictable monthly costs. Direct purchase means you own the equipment and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local Maryland rebates.
Consider Rockville's Climate Zone 7 conditions, where heat pumps work year-round through cold winters (design temp: 5°F) and warm summers (92°F). With Maryland's electricity rate at 17.9¢ per kWh, a heat pump's efficiency matters long-term. Leasing eliminates maintenance worries and large upfront costs, while buying maximizes incentives and long-term ownership benefits. Both options deliver reliable comfort for your home.
Heat pump costs in Rockville typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on your home's size, existing infrastructure, and the system's efficiency rating. Climate Zone 7's cold winters (design temp: 5°F) may require a more robust system, which influences the final price. Direct purchase qualifies you for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Palmetto offers two payment 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 for homeowners who prefer to own their equipment outright. Both options ensure you get a quality heat pump system sized appropriately for Rockville's heating and cooling demands.
Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Rockville, MD. With Maryland's electricity rate of 17.9¢ 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 7.
The financial picture improves further with flexible payment options. Direct purchase qualifies for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates. Alternatively, Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, eliminating unexpected costs while delivering immediate energy savings through predictable monthly payments.
In Rockville, MD, licensed HVAC contractors install heat pumps, and homeowners have several options for choosing an installer. Palmetto provides professional heat pump installation through certified technicians who understand Climate Zone 7 requirements, where systems must handle winter temperatures around 5°F and summer highs near 92°F.
Palmetto offers two installation approaches: 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. Both options ensure your heat pump is properly sized and installed for Rockville's climate and Maryland's 17.9¢ per kWh electricity rates.
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 efficient unit, transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion like traditional furnaces.
For Rockville homeowners in Climate Zone 7, heat pumps offer an efficient solution for both summer cooling (up to 92°F) and winter heating (down to 5°F). With Maryland's electricity rate at 17.9¢ per kWh, modern heat pumps can significantly reduce energy costs compared to older HVAC 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.