Wilkes-Barre, PA 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
Wilkes-Barre, PA Heat Pump Load Calculator
This calculator estimates your home’s heating and cooling needs using ACCA-standard design conditions for Wilkes-Barre, PA: 5°F for heating and 92°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
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
Wilkes-Barre, 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 Wilkes-Barre homeowners.
FirstEnergy Air Source Heat Pump
Up to $500Rebate program for ENERGY STAR certified air source heat pump installations available to FirstEnergy residential customers in Pennsylvania through May 31, 2026.
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.
Wilkes-Barre homeowners have access to the FirstEnergy heat pump rebate program (up to $500) through May 31, 2026, plus the federal IRA tax credit (up to $2,000). The state's Penn Energy Savers program, which will offer up to $8,000 in rebates for income-qualifying households, is anticipated to launch in 2026. Palmetto can help you navigate these programs and maximize your savings on 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
Wilkes-Barre sits in IECC Climate Zone 7, which means cold winters that dip to 5°F and warm summers reaching 92°F. These temperature swings require a heat pump that's properly sized to handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand the unique demands of Wilkes-Barre's climate and can help you choose a system built for it. 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
Wilkes-Barre Electricity Prices
Understanding your electricity costs is key to making smart decisions about home heating and cooling in Wilkes-Barre.
Pennsylvania electricity rates have climbed significantly, 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 help offset these rising costs by using 2-3 times less electricity than traditional HVAC systems for the same amount of heating or cooling, meaning lower monthly bills even as rates increase.
As electricity prices continue fluctuating, investing in a heat pump protects your household budget over time. The efficiency gains compound year after year, keeping more money in your pocket.
Price of Energy: Pennsylvania vs National Average
Wilkes-Barre Area Utility Providers
Wilkes-Barre residents are served by two main electric utilities. According to 2023 data, Met-Ed charges 17.2¢ per kWh, while PPL Electric Utilities charges 19.5¢ per kWh—both above the national average of 16.0¢.
Pennsylvania's electricity rates reflect the state's energy infrastructure and regional transmission costs. While PPL's rates sit slightly above the state average of 18.10¢, Met-Ed falls just below it, making local electricity costs relatively moderate compared to other Northeast markets.
Understanding your electricity costs matters when considering heating and cooling options. Heat pumps use electricity so efficiently—moving heat rather than generating it—that they typically reduce total energy spending even in areas with higher rates, making them worth exploring for Wilkes-Barre homes.
Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre. Modern heat pumps work efficiently even in Climate Zone 7, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F. With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems while providing both heating and cooling year-round.
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 Wilkes-Barre homeowners reduce energy costs while staying comfortable through cold winters and warm summers.
Heat pumps perform very well in Wilkes-Barre's climate, even during cold winters. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are designed for Climate Zone 7 conditions and maintain efficiency down to 5°F and below. They typically deliver 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume, making them considerably more efficient than traditional electric resistance heating.
With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, heat pumps offer meaningful savings compared to oil or propane heating systems common in the area. Their efficiency remains strong during Wilkes-Barre's summer months too, effectively cooling homes when temperatures reach 92°F. Palmetto offers heat pumps through a Comfort Plan with no 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 Wilkes-Barre depends on your financial priorities and homeownership plans. Leasing through Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, making it ideal if you prefer predictable monthly costs. 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 Wilkes-Barre's Climate Zone 7 conditions, where heat pumps work year-round in temperatures from 5°F to 92°F. With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, both options can deliver efficient heating and cooling. Leasing eliminates maintenance worries, while buying maximizes long-term savings through incentives and eventual equipment ownership. Your best choice depends on whether you prioritize low upfront costs or long-term financial benefits.
Heat pump costs in Wilkes-Barre 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 7's cold winters (design temperatures around 5°F) may require more robust equipment, which can influence the final price.
Palmetto offers two payment options to fit different budgets: 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 in Wilkes-Barre. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, even with Pennsylvania's electricity rate of 17.8¢ per kWh. In Climate Zone 7, where winters reach 5°F, today's cold-climate heat pumps maintain efficiency year-round while lowering your energy bills.
Palmetto makes heat pumps accessible through two options: our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront and predictable monthly payments including all maintenance, or direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000. Most Wilkes-Barre homeowners see the investment pay for itself through energy savings within 7-12 years, while enjoying consistent comfort throughout.
In Wilkes-Barre, heat pumps are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who are certified to work with modern heating and cooling systems. These professionals assess your home's specific needs in Climate Zone 7, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F, ensuring proper sizing and installation for year-round comfort.
Palmetto partners with qualified local installers to provide heat pump installation through two flexible options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or direct purchase where you own the system and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits. Both options ensure professional installation tailored to Wilkes-Barre's climate demands.
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 does both heating and cooling in one unit, transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion like traditional furnaces.
In Wilkes-Barre's Climate Zone 7, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F, modern heat pumps are engineered to handle both cold winters and warm summers efficiently. With Pennsylvania's electricity rate at 17.8¢ per kWh, heat pumps can provide year-round comfort while potentially lowering energy costs compared to separate heating and cooling systems.