Flint, MI 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
Flint, MI 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 Flint, MI: 91°F for cooling, -5°F for heating, and a 72°F indoor target. 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
Flint, MI 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 Flint homeowners.
Michigan Home Energy Rebates
Up to $8,000Michigan's MiHER program includes HOMES and HEAR programs providing rebates for heat pump installations and other energy efficiency upgrades. The HEAR program specifically covers heat pumps for heating and cooling.
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.
Flint homeowners have access to Michigan's Home Energy Rebates (MiHER) program, which offers up to $8,000 for heat pump installations through the HEAR program, with total household rebates up to $14,000. The program prioritizes low- and middle-income households and is administered statewide in 2026. Additionally, the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000 remains available through 2032. Palmetto can help homeowners navigate these programs, coordinate applications, and maximize available rebates for heat pump installations.
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
Flint sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters (design temps down to -5°F) and warm summers (up to 91°F). This wide temperature range matters—your heat pump needs to handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Flint's climate and help homeowners choose systems sized and rated for Zone 6 conditions. 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
Flint Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Flint helps you make smarter decisions about home heating and cooling—especially as rates continue to climb.
Michigan residents pay 19.3 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2024, up from 17.5 cents in 2021. That's nearly 3 cents above the national average, meaning Flint homeowners face higher energy bills than most Americans.
Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising rates. Because they're 2-3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same heating and cooling comfort to your home.
As electricity costs continue their upward trend, that efficiency gap becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump helps insulate your household budget from future rate increases while maintaining year-round comfort.
Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average
Flint Area Utility Providers
Flint residents are served by two major utilities: Consumers Energy at 18.8¢ per kWh and DTE Energy at 19.7¢ per kWh (2023 data). Both rates sit above the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
Michigan's electricity costs reflect the state's reliance on aging infrastructure and a transitioning energy mix. The state average matched Consumers Energy at 18.8¢ per kWh in 2023, placing Flint's rates in line with broader Michigan trends.
Higher electricity rates make efficiency matter more. Heat pumps use significantly less energy than traditional heating systems, which means they can actually lower your total energy costs—even when electricity prices run above the national average.
Flint 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 Flint. Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently even at Flint's design heating temperature of -5°F, providing both heating and cooling for Michigan's full range of weather. With electricity at 19.3¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional furnaces while keeping your home comfortable year-round.
Flint homeowners have flexible options to get started. Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront 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. Either way, you're investing in proven technology that handles Flint's cold winters and warm summers efficiently.
Heat pumps perform effectively in Flint's Climate Zone 6, even during cold winters with design temperatures reaching -5°F. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain efficiency ratings of 200-300% (meaning they produce 2-3 units of heat per unit of electricity), significantly outperforming traditional furnaces. With Michigan's electricity rate at 19.3¢ per kWh, this efficiency translates to meaningful savings on heating costs.
During Flint's milder months and cooling season (design temp: 91°F), heat pumps excel at both heating and cooling your home with a single system. While efficiency does decrease in extreme cold, today's heat pump technology is specifically engineered for northern climates like Michigan's. 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 choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Flint depends on your financial situation and preferences. Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, making it ideal if you want predictable costs without surprise expenses. 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 local rebates.
In Flint's Climate Zone 6, where winter temperatures drop to -5°F, a heat pump is a year-round investment. Leasing removes the worry of repair costs during cold snaps, while buying lets you capture immediate tax incentives and build equity in your home. Consider your budget, how long you plan to stay in your home, and whether you prefer ownership or convenience when making your decision.
In Flint, heat pump installation typically costs between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's efficiency rating. Climate Zone 6 conditions, with winter temperatures reaching -5°F, often require more robust systems, 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 equipment 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 for Flint homeowners. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, even in Michigan's Climate Zone 6 winters. With electricity at 19.3¢ per kWh, the energy savings often pay back your investment within 7-12 years.
Palmetto makes heat pumps even more accessible with flexible options. Our Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, eliminating surprise costs. If you purchase directly, you may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates that further improve your return on investment.
Heat pumps in Flint are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who specialize in heating and cooling systems suitable for Michigan's Climate Zone 6 conditions. These professionals ensure proper sizing and installation to handle Flint's winter temperatures that can drop to -5°F and summer highs reaching 91°F, which is essential for year-round comfort and efficiency.
Palmetto partners with qualified local installers to bring heat pump solutions to Flint homeowners through two flexible options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or direct purchase where you own the system outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both options are designed to help you reduce heating costs in a region where electricity averages 19.3¢ per kWh.
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 more energy-efficient than traditional furnaces and air conditioners.
In Flint's Climate Zone 6, where winter temperatures can drop to -5°F, modern heat pumps are designed to handle both extreme cold and summer highs of 91°F. With Michigan's electricity rates at 19.3¢ per kWh, heat pumps can lower your energy costs compared to traditional HVAC systems. Palmetto makes installation accessible through our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront, or direct purchase options that may qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000.