Arlington, VA 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
Arlington, VA Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use our calculator below to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on Arlington’s ACCA-standard design conditions: 72°F indoor, 92°F outdoor cooling, and 5°F heating temperatures. For a precise Manual J load calculation tailored to your specific home, connect with Palmetto’s team for a personalized assessment and quote. Get in touch with our team for an official quote.
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Home location & size
Your home’s location and size directly impact heating needs.
Step 2 of 3
Home attributes
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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 Arlington
While Virginia's state heat pump rebate programs are not yet active in 2026, Arlington homeowners can take advantage of the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations. Dominion Energy may offer utility rebates on a limited basis. Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers $0 upfront cost as an alternative way to access heat pump technology without waiting for state programs to launch.
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.
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 2026 and may change. Contact program administrators to verify current availability and eligibility requirements.
04
Climate Zones
Arlington sits in IECC Climate Zone 7, which means cold winters (design temp: 5°F) and hot, humid summers (design temp: 92°F). This range matters—your heat pump needs to handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Arlington's climate and help homeowners choose systems sized for year-round comfort. 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
Arlington Electricity Prices
Understanding Arlington's electricity costs is essential when considering your home heating and cooling options—especially as rates continue to climb.
Virginia electricity rates have risen steadily from 12.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.5 cents in 2024. While still below the national average, Arlington homeowners are paying approximately 21% more for electricity than just three years ago.
Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising electricity costs. Because they're 2-3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same heating and cooling—reducing your energy consumption even as rates increase.
As electricity prices continue their upward trend, the efficiency advantage of heat pumps becomes more valuable each year. Lower energy consumption today means greater savings tomorrow, helping insulate your household budget from future rate increases.
Price of Energy: Virginia vs National Average
Arlington Area Utility Providers
Arlington residents receive electricity from Dominion Energy, which charged an average of 13.9¢ per kWh in 2023—below both Virginia's state average of 14.3¢ and the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
Arlington's lower electricity rates reflect Virginia's diverse energy mix and Dominion Energy's infrastructure investments in the region. The area benefits from competitive wholesale power markets and efficient transmission networks that help keep residential costs moderate.
With reasonable electricity rates, heat pumps become even more cost-effective in Arlington. Their exceptional efficiency means they use significantly less energy than traditional heating and cooling systems, helping you reduce total energy spending while maintaining year-round comfort.
Arlington 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 Arlington. The area's Climate Zone 7 conditions—with winter lows around 5°F and summer highs near 92°F—fall within the ideal range for modern heat pumps, which efficiently handle both heating and cooling. With Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems while providing year-round comfort.
Arlington homeowners have flexible options to get started. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers heat pump installation with $0 upfront cost and includes all maintenance and repairs, while direct purchase may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Both paths deliver efficient heating and cooling suited to Arlington's climate, making heat pumps a practical choice for local homes.
Heat pumps perform exceptionally well in Arlington's Climate Zone 7, efficiently heating homes even when temperatures drop to the design minimum of 5°F. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can deliver 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume, making them far more efficient than traditional electric resistance heating—a significant advantage given Virginia's current electricity rate of 14.5¢ per kWh.
During Arlington's cooling season, with design temperatures reaching 92°F, heat pumps also excel at air conditioning while using less energy than conventional systems. This year-round efficiency translates to lower utility bills and reduced energy waste. Palmetto makes upgrading accessible through our Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or through direct purchase with potential federal tax credits up to $2,000.
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Arlington depends on your financial situation and preferences. Buying means paying upfront (typically $5,000-$15,000) but you own the equipment and may qualify for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Leasing through a Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs in your monthly payment.
For Arlington's Climate Zone 7, where your heat pump works year-round (heating to 5°F in winter, cooling to 92°F in summer), maintenance matters. With Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, a leased system's included repairs can protect you from unexpected costs. Consider buying if you want to maximize tax incentives and own your equipment, or leasing if you prefer predictable payments without maintenance worries.
Heat pump costs in Arlington typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 for a complete installation, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system capacity needed for Climate Zone 7. Arlington homeowners should expect pricing that accounts for equipment rated to handle winter temperatures around 5°F and summer highs near 92°F.
Palmetto offers two approaches to fit your budget: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and a predictable monthly payment that includes all maintenance and repairs, 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 for Arlington homeowners. Modern heat pumps can reduce heating and cooling costs by 30-50% compared to traditional systems, and with Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, most homeowners see meaningful savings on their monthly energy bills within the first year of operation.
The financial picture improves further when you consider your options. Direct purchase may qualify you for up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus local rebates. Alternatively, Palmetto's Comfort Plan requires $0 upfront and includes all maintenance and repairs, eliminating unexpected costs while delivering immediate energy savings through a predictable monthly payment.
Heat pumps in Arlington are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who understand the specific requirements of Climate Zone 7, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F and summer highs reach 92°F. Palmetto works with certified local installers to provide heat pump systems through either a Comfort Plan lease with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or direct purchase options that may qualify for federal tax credits up to $2,000.
When choosing an installer, look for proper licensing, experience with cold-climate heat pumps suitable for Arlington's winters, and transparent pricing. Professional installation ensures your system operates efficiently in Virginia's climate, helping manage energy costs with electricity currently priced at 14.5¢ per kWh. Quality installation also impacts long-term performance, reliability, and eligibility for available rebates and incentives.
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, making it a complete climate control solution for Arlington homes.
Unlike traditional HVAC setups that use separate furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps transfer heat rather than generate it, making them highly efficient in Climate Zone 7 conditions. With Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, this efficiency can translate to meaningful savings, and Palmetto offers flexible options including a $0 upfront Comfort Plan or direct purchase with federal tax credits up to $2,000.