Akron, OH 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
Akron, OH Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on ACCA-standard design conditions for Akron, OH: 91°F for cooling and -5°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
Heat Pump Financing in Akron
Unfortunately, active heat pump rebate programs for air-source systems are limited in Akron, OH for 2026. Federal tax credits for air-source heat pumps expired December 31, 2025. While Ohio's state-administered HEEHRA and HOMES programs were designed to provide significant rebates, they have not yet launched. Utility rebates from AEP Ohio and FirstEnergy offer modest incentives (up to $500-$750). Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers an alternative path to heat pump installation with $0 upfront cost, allowing homeowners to access efficient heating and cooling without waiting for rebate programs or managing complex incentive applications.
Federal IRA Tax Credit
30% of costThe Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit for qualifying geothermal heat pump installations. Note: Federal tax credits for air-source heat pumps expired December 31, 2025 and are not available in 2026.
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 February 2026. Federal tax credits for air-source heat pumps expired December 31, 2025. Ohio state rebate programs (HEEHRA and HOMES) have not yet launched. Contact program administrators and your utility provider to verify current availability and eligibility requirements.
04
Climate Zones
Akron sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters that can dip to -5°F and warm summers reaching 91°F. This wide temperature range makes proper heat pump sizing critical—your system needs to handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Akron's climate inside and out, so we can recommend the right heat pump for your home. 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
Akron Electricity Prices
Understanding electricity costs in Akron helps you make smarter decisions about home heating and cooling—especially as rates continue to climb.
Ohio electricity rates have risen steadily, jumping from 12.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 16.1 cents in 2024—a 26% increase in just three years that directly impacts your monthly energy bills.
Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising rates. Because they're 2-3x more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same heating and cooling for your Akron home.
As electricity costs continue their upward trend, that efficiency gap becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump's lower energy consumption means your monthly bills stay more manageable, even as rates rise over time.
Price of Energy: Ohio vs National Average
Akron Area Utility Providers
Akron residents benefit from competitive electricity rates. According to 2023 data, FirstEnergy—the primary utility serving the area—charges approximately 14.5¢ per kWh, below both Ohio's state average of 15.40¢ and the national average of 16.0¢.
Ohio's electricity costs remain moderate due to its diverse energy mix, including natural gas, coal, and nuclear sources. FirstEnergy's rates in Akron reflect this regional advantage, with infrastructure investments and competitive wholesale markets helping keep costs down for local homeowners.
Lower electricity rates make heat pumps even more cost-effective in Akron. Since heat pumps use electricity three times more efficiently than traditional heating systems, you'll spend less on energy overall—even compared to gas furnaces in this moderate-rate environment.
Akron 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 Akron. Modern cold-climate heat pumps work efficiently even at Akron's design heating temperature of -5°F, providing year-round comfort in Climate Zone 6. With Ohio's electricity rate at 16.1¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems while also providing air conditioning.
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 options deliver efficient heating and cooling designed specifically for Akron's climate, from cold winters to warm 91°F summer days.
Heat pumps perform efficiently in Akron's Climate Zone 6, even during cold winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain effectiveness down to -5°F, Akron's design heating temperature, delivering 2-3 times more heating energy than they consume in electricity. With Ohio's electricity rate at 16.1¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems.
During Akron's mild springs, falls, and summers (with cooling design temps around 91°F), heat pumps excel at both heating and cooling your home efficiently. Palmetto makes installation accessible through our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or direct purchase options that may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Akron depends on your financial situation and priorities. Palmetto's Comfort Plan 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 rebates.
In Akron's Climate Zone 6, where winter temperatures can drop to -5°F, heat pumps work year-round but require proper maintenance. With electricity at 16.1¢ per kWh in Ohio, both options deliver energy savings compared to traditional heating. Leasing removes maintenance worries, while buying maximizes long-term savings and ownership benefits. Consider your budget, how long you plan to stay in your home, and whether you prefer immediate affordability or upfront investment.
Heat pump costs in Akron 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 temps reaching -5°F) may require cold-climate models, which can affect pricing but deliver better performance year-round.
Palmetto offers two payment options to fit your budget: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and predictable monthly payments including 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 plus local rebates.
Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially for Akron homeowners. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, and with Ohio's electricity rate at 16.1¢ per kWh, the savings add up quickly. Heat pumps also qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000, which helps offset initial costs.
Palmetto makes heat pumps financially accessible through two options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and predictable monthly payments, or direct purchase to own the equipment outright. The Comfort Plan includes all maintenance and repairs, eliminating unexpected expenses. Either way, you'll see lower utility bills while staying comfortable year-round in Akron's climate.
Heat pumps in Akron are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who specialize in heating and cooling systems. These professionals assess your home's needs, considering Akron's Climate Zone 6 conditions (with winter temperatures dropping to -5°F), and ensure proper sizing and installation for year-round comfort and efficiency.
Palmetto works with certified local installers to provide heat pump installation in Akron through two options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and all maintenance included, or direct purchase where you own the equipment and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both options ensure professional installation tailored to your home's specific requirements.
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.
In Akron'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 efficiently. While traditional HVAC systems often require separate heating and cooling equipment, a single heat pump does both jobs, potentially lowering your energy costs at Ohio's current rate of 16.1¢ per kWh.