Do heat pumps work in Fort Collins winters?

Fort Collins averages 12 nights a year at or below 0°F, so pick a cold-climate certified model and check its output at 5°F. The average winter low is 14°F, and the heating season adds up to 6,845 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Fort Collins?

A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $1,821 of electricity a year for heating and $105 for cooling in Fort Collins, at the Colorado average of 16.6¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.

Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Fort Collins?

Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $1,821 a year with a typical heat pump versus $1,125 with a 95% gas furnace (Colorado averages: 16.6¢/kWh, $1.08/therm). A high-HSPF2 model narrows the gap, and a heat pump also replaces the air conditioner. Against propane, oil or electric heat it is usually far cheaper.

What size heat pump do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house in Fort Collins?

With average insulation, roughly a 5-ton system: the estimated cooling load is 27,600 BTU/h and the heating load 54,000 BTU/h. Use the size calculator for your own house, and ask installers for a Manual J calculation.

Severe winters · Mild summers

Best heat pumps for Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins averages 12 nights a year at or below 0°F, so pick a cold-climate certified model and check its output at 5°F.

A typical heat pump costs about $1,821 a year to heat a house here and $105 to cool it. A 95% gas furnace would cost $1,125 for the same heat.

This guide also covers Greeley, which share Fort Collins's weather station and climate data.

Nights at or below 0°F12 a year
Nights at or below 20°F93 a year
Days at or above 90°F34 a year
Average winter low14°F
Average summer high84°F
Electricity16.6¢ per kWh
Natural gas$1.08 per therm

Cheapest to run in Fort Collins

Ranked by yearly electricity cost in this climate, so the balance of heating and cooling efficiency is the one that matters here. Cold-climate certified models only.

Best 12,000 BTU mini-split

MDV MOX430-12HFN1-MZ60W

12,000 BTU mini-split · MSOP series · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 27.5
HSPF2: 14.5
Per year here: $398

For one large room.

Full specs and running cost

Best 24,000 BTU mini-split

SLIMAIR SHC24VH2AG

24,000 BTU mini-split · SHC Series · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 27.5
HSPF2: 14.5
Per year here: $797

For open-plan floor or small home.

Full specs and running cost

Best 3-ton central heat pump

TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL

3 ton central · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 29.7
HSPF2: 12.2
Per year here: $1,403

For typical whole house.

Full specs and running cost

Running cost calculator for Fort Collins

Pre-filled with Fort Collins's climate and Colorado prices. Pick a model, tell it what you heat with today, and add your quote.

Heat pump $1,273/yrCosts more by $263/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump pick a model or type its ratings

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,273
Current system, per year: $1,010
Costs more per year: $263
Payback: No payback
Net after 10 years: -$11,631

Cooling $60Heating $1,214Electricity used: 7,693 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $266

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

More for Fort Collins

Top 5 12,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $398/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
MDV MOX430-12HFN1-MZ60W	27.5	14.5	$398
Goodman MSH123G26MCAA	27.5	14.5	$398
Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1	31.5	13.7	$418
Fujitsu AOUG12LZAS1	29.4	12.9	$444
Fujitsu AOUH12KZAH1	30.5	12.7	$450

All 12,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 24,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $797/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
SLIMAIR SHC24VH2AG	27.5	14.5	$797
MDV MOD30-24HFN10-M1X	22.3	13.5	$863
Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK	21.2	13.5	$865
Comfort-Aire A-VHP24SA-1	21.0	13.5	$866
Mainline ML24HP230NEXH-O	22.3	13.3	$875

All 24,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 3-ton central heat pumpsfrom $1,403/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL	29.7	12.2	$1,403
LG KUSXA361A	23.5	10.5	$1,636
Trane 5TWV0X36A1	21.0	10.5	$1,646
Lennox SL22KLV-036-230A	20.5	10.5	$1,648
Lennox EL21KLV-036-230A	20.0	10.4	$1,665

All 3-ton central heat pumps

Heat pump vs. gas, propane and oilgas is cheaper to run

Yearly cost to heat a typical house (36,000 BTU/h of heat, 2,750 full-load hours) at Colorado prices.

Natural gas furnace, 95% AFUE$1,125/yr
Natural gas furnace, 80% AFUE$1,337/yr
Heat pump (typical, 9.0 HSPF2)$1,821/yr
Propane furnace, 95% AFUE$2,726/yr
Electric baseboard or furnace$4,802/yr
Heating oil, 85% AFUE$5,024/yr

Electricity and natural gas: Colorado residential averages from the U.S. EIA; propane and heating oil: latest EIA weekly prices.

Month by monthpeak $310 in December

Heating and cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals) and what a typical 3-ton heat pump costs in each month at 16.6¢/kWh.

Month	Heating DD	Cooling DD	Cost
January	1,150	0	$306
February	993	0	$264
March	840	0	$223
April	612	0	$163
May	345	6	$93
June	91	61	$39
July	10	182	$47
August	26	149	$43
September	176	35	$56
October	555	1	$148
November	881	0	$234
December	1,165	0	$310

What size heat pump for a Fort Collins home?5 ton for 2,000 sq ft

1,000 sq ft house2.5 ton · heating load 27,000 BTU/h
1,500 sq ft house3.5 ton · heating load 40,500 BTU/h
2,000 sq ft house5 ton · heating load 54,000 BTU/h
2,500 sq ft house5+ ton · heating load 67,500 BTU/h

Average insulation, 8 ft ceilings. Size calculator for your own home

Questions4

Do heat pumps work in Fort Collins winters?: Fort Collins averages 12 nights a year at or below 0°F, so pick a cold-climate certified model and check its output at 5°F. The average winter low is 14°F, and the heating season adds up to 6,845 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Fort Collins?: A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $1,821 of electricity a year for heating and $105 for cooling in Fort Collins, at the Colorado average of 16.6¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.
Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Fort Collins?: Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $1,821 a year with a typical heat pump versus $1,125 with a 95% gas furnace (Colorado averages: 16.6¢/kWh, $1.08/therm). A high-HSPF2 model narrows the gap, and a heat pump also replaces the air conditioner. Against propane, oil or electric heat it is usually far cheaper.
What size heat pump do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house in Fort Collins?: With average insulation, roughly a 5-ton system: the estimated cooling load is 27,600 BTU/h and the heating load 54,000 BTU/h. Use the size calculator for your own house, and ask installers for a Manual J calculation.

Nearby cities

Climate: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station NUNN 7 NNE (39 km away).