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

Harrisburg, PA 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 Harrisburg, PA: 5°F for heating, 92°F for cooling, and 72°F indoors. For a precise Manual J load calculation and personalized quote, connect with our 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

Harrisburg, PA 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 Harrisburg homeowners.

FirstEnergy Air Source Heat Pump

Up to $500

Get up to $500 rebate on an ENERGY STAR certified air source heat pump. Rebates are available to residential customers of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania electric companies on qualified products purchased between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2026.

Eligibility: Available to residential customers of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania electric companies. Rebate applications must be submitted within 90 days of purchase.

Learn more →

PPL Air Source Heat Pump

Up to $450

You may qualify for rebates on qualified air source heat pumps from PPL. Up to $450 on Air Source Heat Pumps. PPL's program runs through May 2026.

Eligibility: Residential equipment rebates are not available to customers with a non-residential rate code. Harrisburg area customers should verify service territory eligibility.

Learn more →

Columbia Gas Heat Pump

Up to $2,000

$2,000 rebate for high efficiency natural gas-fired heat pumps (heating only - either furnace or boiler type models).

Eligibility: Primary heat/fuel source for the energy efficiency equipment must be natural gas. Rebates are not available to fuel switching customers.

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 →

Harrisburg homeowners have access to several active heat pump rebate programs through local utilities and the federal government. FirstEnergy, PPL, and Columbia Gas all offer rebates ranging from $450 to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations through May 2026. Additionally, the federal IRA tax credit provides up to $2,000 for heat pump installations. Palmetto can help homeowners navigate these programs, maximize available rebates, and explore financing options like our Comfort Plan lease, which offers $0 upfront cost for heat pump installation.

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

Harrisburg sits in IECC Climate Zone 7, which means cold winters that dip to 5°F and warm summers reaching 92°F. This temperature range directly impacts which heat pump system will keep your home comfortable year-round. At Palmetto, we understand Harrisburg's climate and can help you choose a heat pump properly sized for these conditions. Explore the climate zones below or enter your ZIP code to confirm yours.

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

Harrisburg Electricity Prices

Understanding your local electricity costs is essential when choosing a heating and cooling system for your Harrisburg home.

Pennsylvania electricity rates have climbed significantly in recent years, rising from 13.8 cents per kWh in 2021 to 17.8 cents per kWh in 2024—outpacing the national average throughout this period.

Heat pumps offer a practical response to these rising costs. Because they're 2-3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use less electricity to deliver the same amount of heating and cooling to your home.

As electricity rates continue to fluctuate, that efficiency advantage becomes increasingly valuable. A heat pump helps insulate your household budget from future rate increases while maintaining year-round comfort in your Harrisburg home.

Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
13.8¢
15.0¢
15.9¢
16.0¢
18.1¢
16.5¢
17.8¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Utility Providers

Harrisburg residents are served by two main electric utilities: Met-Ed and PPL. Understanding their 2023 electricity rates—17.2¢ and 19.5¢ per kWh respectively—helps you plan for energy costs when considering home heating and cooling options.

Both utilities' rates sit close to Pennsylvania's 2023 average of 18.10¢ per kWh, and slightly above the national average of 16.0¢. These costs reflect the state's energy infrastructure and regional market conditions typical of the Mid-Atlantic region.

While electricity rates matter, efficiency matters more. Heat pumps can actually lower your total energy spending even with above-average electricity costs, since they move heat rather than generate it—delivering up to three times more heating energy than they consume.

Harrisburg Utilities Electricity Rates

Met-Ed
17.20¢
+7%
PPL
19.50¢
+22%
PA Average
18.10¢
+13%
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 excellent sense in Harrisburg. While the area experiences cold winters with design temperatures around 5°F, modern heat pumps are engineered to handle Climate Zone 7 conditions effectively. They provide both heating and cooling year-round, which is valuable given summer temperatures that reach 92°F, while operating efficiently on Pennsylvania's electrical grid at 17.8¢ per kWh.

Harrisburg homeowners have flexible options to access this technology. Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, eliminating unexpected costs. Alternatively, direct purchase allows you to own the equipment outright and potentially claim up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus any available local rebates.

Heat pumps perform very efficiently in Harrisburg's climate, even during cold winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain strong performance down to 5°F—Harrisburg's design heating temperature—delivering 2-3 times more heating energy than they consume in electricity. This efficiency translates to lower energy bills compared to traditional heating systems, especially with Pennsylvania's electricity rate of 17.8¢ per kWh.

In Climate Zone 7, heat pumps also excel at cooling during summer months when temperatures reach 92°F, providing year-round comfort from a single system. The efficiency gains are significant enough that many Harrisburg homeowners see meaningful savings on their energy costs. Palmetto makes accessing this technology straightforward through either our Comfort Plan with zero upfront costs and included maintenance, or direct purchase options that may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits.

The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Harrisburg depends on your financial priorities and preferences. Leasing through Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, making it ideal if you want predictable costs without maintenance concerns. 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.

Consider Harrisburg's Climate Zone 7 conditions, where heat pumps work year-round through cold winters (design temp: 5°F) and warm summers (92°F). With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, both options offer energy-efficient heating and cooling. Leasing spreads costs over time with included service, while purchasing maximizes long-term savings through incentives and full ownership once paid off.

Heat pump costs in Harrisburg typically range from $5,000 to $20,000 for a complete installation, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's capacity needed to handle our Climate Zone 7 conditions (winter lows around 5°F and summer highs near 92°F). Direct purchase qualifies you for federal tax credits up to $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus potential local rebates that can reduce your upfront investment.

Palmetto offers two payment options to fit your budget: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and a predictable monthly payment that includes all maintenance and repairs, or direct purchase where you own the equipment outright. With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, a modern heat pump can deliver significant energy savings compared to traditional heating systems, helping offset your investment over time.

Heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Harrisburg, especially with Pennsylvania's electricity rate of 17.8¢ per kWh. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, and they handle both functions in one efficient unit, eliminating the need for separate equipment.

The financial picture becomes even more attractive when you consider your options. Direct purchase may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, while Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 upfront with predictable monthly payments and included maintenance—letting you start saving immediately without a large initial investment.

Heat pumps in Harrisburg are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who are trained to work with these efficient heating and cooling systems. Palmetto partners with certified local installers who understand Harrisburg's Climate Zone 7 requirements, where systems must handle winter design temperatures of 5°F and summer highs of 92°F.

Palmetto offers two installation 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 include professional installation by experienced technicians who ensure your heat pump is properly sized and configured for your home.

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 Harrisburg's Climate Zone 7, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F and summers reach 92°F, modern heat pumps handle both seasons effectively while typically using less electricity than separate heating and cooling systems. With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, this efficiency can translate to meaningful savings on your energy bills throughout the year.