Nathan Healy
Certified by Nathan Healy
Updated: February 2026
Quality home solutions since 2011
Palmetto serves thousands of customers across 25 states with an over 85% approval rating

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

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

Forget the maintenance

With a Comfort Plan subscription, installation and maintenance are fully covered, no surprise bills, no weekend DIY.

Rewards for renewing

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

Saginaw, MI Heat Pump Load Calculator

Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on Saginaw’s ACCA-standard design conditions: -5°F for heating and 91°F for cooling, with 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

Get Started

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.

Cash

Loan

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
Payment schedule $0 upfront, then monthly subscription
Term length 10 or 12 years
End of term options Flexible with 25% renewal term credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives

Cash

Payment schedule Full price upfront
Term length None
End of term options No credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives

Loan

Payment schedule $0 upfront, then monthly payment
Term length Variable
End of term options No credits to new system
Maintenance included
Eligible for incentives

Local Incentives

Saginaw, 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 Saginaw homeowners.

Michigan Home Energy Rebates

Up to $14,000

Michigan's Home Energy Rebates program (MiHER) consists of two programs: the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR), which provide funding to lower the cost of efficient electric technologies including heat pumps in single-family and multifamily homes.

Eligibility: Available to homeowners and renters of single-family and multifamily buildings. EGLE prioritizes serving Michigan's low- and middle-income households. Standard Rebates are available for households earning between 81%-150% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and Enhanced Rebates are available for households earning 80% or below the Area Median Income.

Learn more →

Federal IRA Tax Credit

Up to $2,000

The Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations through 2032.

Eligibility: Available to homeowners who purchase and install a qualifying heat pump system. Claimed on your annual federal tax return.

Learn more →

Saginaw homeowners have access to Michigan's Home Energy Rebates (MiHER) program, which offers up to $14,000 in rebates for heat pump installations through the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) component. This state program is actively accepting applications in 2026 and prioritizes low- and middle-income households. Additionally, the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000 remains available through 2032. Palmetto can help you navigate these programs and maximize your rebate 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

Saginaw sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters that dip to -5°F and warm summers reaching 91°F. These temperature swings require a heat pump that's properly sized and rated for both extremes. At Palmetto, we understand Saginaw's climate and can help you choose a system that keeps you comfortable year-round. Explore the climate zone map below or enter your ZIP code to confirm your zone.

US Climate Zone Map
Your location

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

05

Saginaw Electricity Prices

Understanding electricity costs in Saginaw helps you make smarter decisions about home heating and cooling systems that can save you money.

Michigan residents pay more for electricity than most Americans. Rates have climbed from 17.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 19.3 cents in 2024—that's 10% higher in just three years.

Heat pumps use 2-3 times less electricity than traditional HVAC systems to produce the same heating or cooling. This efficiency means lower energy bills, even as electricity rates continue their upward trend.

As energy costs rise, that efficiency gap becomes more valuable. A heat pump that saves you money today will save you even more tomorrow, protecting your budget against future rate increases.

Price of Energy: Michigan vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
17.5¢
15.0¢
17.9¢
16.0¢
18.8¢
16.5¢
19.3¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Michigan

Saginaw Area Utility Providers

Saginaw residents receive electricity primarily from Consumers Energy. According to 2023 data, their rates averaged 18.8¢ per kWh—matching Michigan's state average and sitting 17.5% above the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.

Michigan's electricity costs reflect the state's aging infrastructure, colder climate demands, and coal-to-renewable energy transition investments. Consumers Energy has been upgrading its grid and shifting toward cleaner sources, which temporarily elevates rates during this modernization period.

While electricity costs in Saginaw run higher than the national average, heat pumps can still reduce your overall energy spending. Their exceptional efficiency means they use significantly less energy than traditional heating systems, helping offset higher per-kilowatt costs.

Saginaw Utilities Electricity Rates

Consumers Energy
18.80¢
+18%
MI Average
18.80¢
+18%
US Average
16.0¢
06

Palmetto Reviews

Ready to start saving with a heat pump?

Speak with a Palmetto heating & cooling expert to find out exactly how much you can save.

Get a Free Quote
Palmetto mobile app
07

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
Download the App
08

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.

$5,000
Recommended repair threshold

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.

Ready to start saving with a heat pump?

Speak with a Palmetto heating & cooling expert to find out exactly how much you can save.

Get a Free Quote
09

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, heat pumps make sense in Saginaw, even in Climate Zone 6 where winter temperatures can drop to -5°F. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are designed to handle Michigan winters efficiently, providing both heating and cooling while using less energy than traditional systems. With electricity at 19.3¢ per kWh, many homeowners see lower utility bills compared to older furnaces.

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 approaches help Saginaw residents upgrade to efficient heating and cooling without the complexity, making the switch straightforward regardless of your budget or preference.

Heat pumps perform well in Saginaw's Climate Zone 6, even with winter design temperatures reaching -5°F. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can efficiently heat homes down to these temperatures, typically delivering 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume. This efficiency translates to meaningful savings compared to traditional heating systems, especially with Michigan's current electricity rate of 19.3¢ per kWh.

During Saginaw's milder spring and fall months, heat pumps operate at peak efficiency, and they also provide excellent cooling when summer temperatures reach 91°F. While efficiency does decrease in extreme cold, today's heat pump technology is specifically designed for northern climates like Saginaw's. Palmetto offers both a Comfort Plan with zero upfront costs and maintenance included, or direct purchase options that may qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000.

The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Saginaw depends on your financial situation and preferences. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 upfront with predictable monthly payments and all maintenance included, making it ideal if you want to avoid a large initial investment. Direct purchase means you own the equipment outright and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates.

In Saginaw's Climate Zone 6, where winter temperatures drop to -5°F, a heat pump is a year-round investment. Leasing eliminates repair worries during cold Michigan winters, while buying gives you long-term ownership and immediate equity. Consider your budget, how long you plan to stay in your home, and whether you prefer predictable monthly costs or maximizing available incentives.

Heat pump installation costs in Saginaw typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's capacity needed for Michigan's Climate Zone 6 conditions. The total price includes equipment, labor, and any modifications required to handle Saginaw's winter temperatures that can drop to -5°F.

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, especially in Saginaw's Climate Zone 6. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, and with Michigan's electricity rate of 19.3¢ per kWh, many homeowners see meaningful savings on their monthly energy bills within the first few years.

Palmetto makes the investment even more accessible with two options: our Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront with predictable monthly payments and all maintenance included, 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 long-term energy savings and year-round comfort.

Heat pumps in Saginaw are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who specialize in heating and cooling systems suitable for Michigan's Climate Zone 6 conditions. These professionals assess your home's heating and cooling needs, accounting for local temperature extremes (from -5°F in winter to 91°F in summer), and ensure proper installation for optimal efficiency.

Palmetto partners with certified local installers to provide heat pump installation in Saginaw 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 Saginaw homeowners reduce energy 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 specific type of HVAC system that both heats and cools your home by transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion.

In Saginaw's Climate Zone 6, where winter temperatures drop to -5°F, modern heat pumps can handle both heating and cooling needs in a single system. This differs from traditional HVAC setups that often require separate equipment like a furnace for heating and an air conditioner for cooling, making heat pumps a simpler, more efficient solution for year-round comfort.