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

Roanoke, VA Heat Pump Load Calculator

Our heat pump load calculator uses square footage to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on ACCA-standard design conditions for Roanoke, VA: 72°F indoor, 92°F outdoor 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

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

Heat Pump Financing in Roanoke

While Virginia's state heat pump rebate programs (Home Efficiency Rebates and High Efficiency and Appliance Rebates) have not yet launched as of 2026, homeowners in Roanoke can still access the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations. Limited utility rebates may also be available through Dominion Energy. Palmetto's Comfort Plan lease offers $0 upfront cost as an alternative way to access heat pump technology without waiting for state programs to become available.

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 →

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. Virginia's state rebate programs remain pending federal approval and may become available later in 2026.

04

Climate Zones

Roanoke sits in IECC Climate Zone 7, which means cold winters that can dip to 5°F and warm summers reaching 92°F. This temperature range matters because your heat pump needs to handle both extremes efficiently. At Palmetto, we understand Roanoke's climate and can help you choose a system sized correctly for your home. Explore other 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

Roanoke Electricity Prices

Understanding electricity costs in Roanoke helps you make smarter decisions about home heating and cooling for years to come.

Virginia electricity rates have climbed steadily from 12.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.5 cents in 2024—a 21% increase in just three years that directly impacts your monthly utility bills.

Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising rates. Because they're 2-3 times more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use significantly less electricity to deliver the same heating and cooling comfort.

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 manageable even when rates rise.

Price of Energy: Virginia vs National Average

10¢
20¢
30¢
13.7¢
12.0¢
15.0¢
13.3¢
16.0¢
14.3¢
16.5¢
14.5¢
2021
2022
2023
2024
US Average
Virginia

Roanoke Area Utility Providers

Roanoke residents receive electricity primarily from Appalachian Power. According to 2023 data, their average rate was 15.9¢ per kWh—slightly below the national average of 16.0¢ but above Virginia's state average of 14.30¢.

Appalachian Power's rates reflect the costs of maintaining infrastructure across Virginia's varied terrain and investing in grid reliability. Regional factors like fuel costs and transmission expenses contribute to rates that sit between state and national benchmarks.

Even with electricity costs near the national average, heat pumps offer Roanoke homeowners a path to lower energy bills. Their exceptional efficiency means they use less electricity than traditional heating and cooling systems, reducing overall energy spending regardless of local rates.

Roanoke Utilities Electricity Rates

Appalachian Power
15.90¢
-1%
VA Average
14.30¢
-11%
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 Roanoke. As a Climate Zone 7 area with winter design temperatures around 5°F and summer peaks near 92°F, modern heat pumps efficiently handle both heating and cooling needs year-round. With Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, heat pumps typically cost less to operate than traditional heating systems while providing consistent comfort.

Roanoke homeowners can access heat pumps through Palmetto's Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and included maintenance, or through direct purchase to claim up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Either option delivers efficient climate control suited to Roanoke's four-season weather, helping you save on energy costs while staying comfortable throughout the year.

Heat pumps perform very efficiently in Roanoke's Climate Zone 7, even during winter temperatures that occasionally dip to around 5°F. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can deliver 2-3 times more heating energy than the electricity they consume, making them significantly more efficient than traditional electric resistance heating. With Virginia's electricity rate of 14.5¢ per kWh, most Roanoke homeowners see meaningful reductions in their heating and cooling costs.

The efficiency advantage is year-round in Roanoke—heat pumps both heat and cool your home using the same system. During summer months when temperatures reach 92°F, they work as highly efficient air conditioners. Palmetto offers heat pumps through a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost and all maintenance included, or through direct purchase where you 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 Roanoke depends on your financial situation and priorities. Palmetto's Comfort Plan offers $0 upfront with predictable monthly payments and included maintenance—ideal if you want to avoid a large initial investment. Direct purchase means you own the equipment outright and can claim up to $2,000 in federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, plus any local rebates.

Consider Roanoke's Climate Zone 7 conditions, where your heat pump will work year-round in temperatures from 5°F to 92°F. With Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, both options deliver energy savings, but leasing eliminates repair costs and maintenance worries over time, while purchasing maximizes long-term ownership value and immediate tax benefits. Evaluate your budget, tax situation, and preference for hands-off service versus equipment ownership.

Heat pump costs in Roanoke typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 for a complete installation, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the system's efficiency rating. Roanoke's Climate Zone 7 conditions—with winter temperatures dropping to 5°F—require properly sized equipment to ensure year-round comfort and efficiency.

Palmetto offers two flexible ways to get a heat pump: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront 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 Roanoke 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 case becomes even stronger when you consider available incentives and flexible payment options. Direct purchasers may qualify 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, making heat pumps accessible without a large initial investment while delivering immediate energy savings.

In Roanoke, heat pumps are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who understand the specific requirements of Climate Zone 7, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F and summers reach 92°F. Palmetto partners with certified local installers to provide professional heat pump installation, ensuring your system is properly sized and configured for Roanoke's climate conditions.

Palmetto offers two installation options: a Comfort Plan with $0 upfront cost that includes 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. Both options include professional installation by experienced technicians who ensure your heat pump operates efficiently in Roanoke's varied weather conditions.

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 in Roanoke's Climate Zone 7 conditions.

Unlike traditional HVAC setups that use separate furnaces and air conditioners, a heat pump handles both jobs in one unit. This efficiency matters in Roanoke, where winter temperatures can drop to 5°F and summers reach 92°F—and with Virginia's electricity rate at 14.5¢ per kWh, the energy savings add up. Palmetto offers heat pumps through a Comfort Plan lease with no upfront cost or direct purchase with potential tax credits up to $2,000.