Dayton, 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
Dayton, OH Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on Dayton’s ACCA-standard design conditions: 91°F for cooling, -5°F for heating, and a 72°F indoor target. For a precise Manual J load calculation tailored to your specific home, connect with Palmetto’s team for a personalized quote. 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 Dayton
While local and state heat pump rebate programs are in development in Ohio, they are not yet fully operational in 2026. The federal air-source heat pump tax credit expired at the end of 2025. Geothermal heat pumps remain eligible for a 30% federal tax credit through 2032. Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers $0 upfront cost as an alternative to purchasing a heat pump system, allowing homeowners to access efficient heating and cooling without the burden of equipment costs.
Federal IRA Tax Credit
30% of costThe Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit for qualifying geothermal heat pump installations. Note: Air-source heat pump credits 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 February 2026. State and utility programs are still in development phases. Contact the Ohio Department of Development and local utilities for current program status and eligibility requirements.
04
Climate Zones
Dayton sits in IECC Climate Zone 6, which means cold winters (design temps down to -5°F) and warm summers (up to 91°F). This range matters—your heat pump needs to handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Dayton's climate and help homeowners choose systems sized right for the job. Not sure of your exact zone? Explore the map below or enter your ZIP code to confirm.
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
Dayton Electricity Prices
Understanding your electricity costs is key to making smart home energy decisions, especially as rates continue to climb in Ohio.
Dayton residents have seen electricity costs jump 25% since 2021, rising from 12.8 to 16.1 cents per kWh. While Ohio's rates remain slightly below the national average, they're climbing steadily each year.
Heat pumps offer a practical solution to rising electricity 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 to your home.
As electricity rates continue their upward trend, that efficiency gap becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump's lower energy consumption means your monthly bills stay manageable even as rates rise, protecting your budget for years to come.
Price of Energy: Ohio vs National Average
Dayton Area Utility Providers
Dayton residents are served by two main electric utilities: DP&L and Duke Energy. According to 2023 data, DP&L's average rate was 16.4¢ per kWh, while Duke Energy's was 14.7¢ per kWh.
DP&L's rates sit slightly above the 2023 national average of 16.0¢ per kWh, while Duke Energy falls below both state (15.4¢) and national benchmarks. These differences reflect each utility's infrastructure investments, fuel sources, and service territory characteristics.
Understanding your electricity costs helps you make informed decisions about home heating and cooling. Heat pumps use electricity very efficiently—often moving three units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed—which can lower your total energy spending compared to traditional systems, regardless of your utility provider.
Dayton 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 excellent sense in Dayton. Modern heat pumps are engineered to operate efficiently in Climate Zone 6, handling temperatures down to -5°F during winter and 91°F in summer. With Ohio's electricity rate at 16.1¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems while providing both heating and cooling in one unit.
Dayton homeowners have flexible options to make the switch affordable. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 upfront with maintenance included, eliminating surprise repair costs. Alternatively, direct purchase may qualify you for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates, making heat pumps a smart financial choice for the long term.
Heat pumps perform well in Dayton's Climate Zone 6, even during cold winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain efficiency down to -5°F, Dayton's design heating temperature, delivering 2-3 times more heating energy than they consume in electricity. This efficiency translates to lower heating bills compared to traditional electric resistance or oil heating systems.
With Ohio's electricity rate at 16.1¢ per kWh, heat pumps offer year-round savings by both heating and cooling your home efficiently. During Dayton's 91°F summer days, heat pumps cool as effectively as traditional air conditioners while using less energy. Palmetto makes installation accessible through our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Dayton depends on your financial situation and preferences. Buying means paying upfront but owning the equipment outright, with potential access to federal tax credits up to $2,000 and local rebates. Leasing through a Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront, offers predictable monthly payments, and includes all maintenance and repairs.
For Dayton's Climate Zone 6 conditions—with winter temperatures dropping to -5°F—ongoing maintenance is essential for reliable heating performance. If you prefer avoiding unexpected repair costs and maintenance responsibilities, leasing provides peace of mind. If you want to maximize long-term savings and can handle upfront costs, buying may be more economical, especially with available incentives offsetting the initial investment.
Heat pump costs in Dayton 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 conditions, with winter temperatures reaching -5°F, often require more robust systems that can handle Dayton's cold winters and warm summers.
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 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 Dayton homeowners. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems. With Ohio's electricity rate at 16.1¢ per kWh and Dayton's moderate climate (Zone 6), you'll see meaningful savings on your energy bills year-round.
The financial picture improves further with flexible options. Direct purchase may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates. Alternatively, Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 upfront cost with predictable monthly payments and included maintenance, making heat pumps accessible without large initial investment.
Heat pumps in Dayton are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who specialize in heating and cooling systems. These professionals assess your home's specific needs, considering factors like Dayton's Climate Zone 6 conditions (with winter temperatures dropping to -5°F), and ensure proper sizing and installation for optimal efficiency in Ohio's variable weather.
Palmetto works with certified local installers to provide heat pump systems 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 approaches ensure professional installation tailored to your home's heating and cooling requirements.
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, making it highly efficient even in Dayton's Climate Zone 6 conditions.
Unlike traditional HVAC systems that use separate furnaces and air conditioners, a heat pump handles both jobs with one unit. This means lower energy costs at Ohio's current 16.1¢ per kWh rate and simplified maintenance. Palmetto makes upgrading straightforward with a Comfort Plan that includes all maintenance and repairs, or a direct purchase option that may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits.