Do heat pumps work in Portland winters?

Portland averages 6.7 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 18°F, and the heating season adds up to 6,795 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

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

A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $3,162 of electricity a year for heating and $186 for cooling in Portland, at the Maine average of 29.3¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.

Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Portland?

Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $3,162 a year with a typical heat pump versus $1,872 with a 95% gas furnace (Maine averages: 29.3¢/kWh, $1.83/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 Portland?

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 Portland, ME

Portland averages 6.7 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 $3,162 a year to heat a house here and $186 to cool it. A 95% gas furnace would cost $1,872 for the same heat.

Nights at or below 0°F6.7 a year
Nights at or below 20°F63 a year
Days at or above 90°F5.1 a year
Average winter low18°F
Average summer high77°F
Electricity29.3¢ per kWh
Natural gas$1.83 per therm

Cheapest to run in Portland

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: $693

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: $1,385

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: $2,439

For typical whole house.

Full specs and running cost

Running cost calculator for Portland

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

Heat pump $2,214/yrCosts more by $520/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: $2,214
Current system, per year: $1,693
Costs more per year: $520
Payback: No payback
Net after 10 years: -$14,205

Cooling $105Heating $2,108Electricity used: 7,560 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $464

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 Portland

Top 5 12,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $693/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
MDV MOX430-12HFN1-MZ60W	27.5	14.5	$693
Goodman MSH123G26MCAA	27.5	14.5	$693
Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1	31.5	13.7	$726
Fujitsu AOUG12LZAS1	29.4	12.9	$771
Fujitsu AOUH12KZAH1	30.5	12.7	$782

All 12,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 24,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $1,385/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
SLIMAIR SHC24VH2AG	27.5	14.5	$1,385
MDV MOD30-24HFN10-M1X	22.3	13.5	$1,500
Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK	21.2	13.5	$1,505
Comfort-Aire A-VHP24SA-1	21.0	13.5	$1,506
Mainline ML24HP230NEXH-O	22.3	13.3	$1,521

All 24,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 3-ton central heat pumpsfrom $2,439/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL	29.7	12.2	$2,439
LG KUSXA361A	23.5	10.5	$2,845
Trane 5TWV0X36A1	21.0	10.5	$2,861
Lennox SL22KLV-036-230A	20.5	10.5	$2,865
Lennox EL21KLV-036-230A	20.0	10.4	$2,895

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, 2,700 full-load hours) at Maine prices.

Natural gas furnace, 95% AFUE$1,872/yr
Natural gas furnace, 80% AFUE$2,223/yr
Heat pump (typical, 9.0 HSPF2)$3,162/yr
Propane furnace, 95% AFUE$3,967/yr
Heating oil, 85% AFUE$4,932/yr
Electric baseboard or furnace$8,341/yr

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

Month by monthpeak $591 in January

Heating and cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals) and what a typical 3-ton heat pump costs in each month at 29.3¢/kWh.

Month	Heating DD	Cooling DD	Cost
January	1,271	0	$591
February	1,088	0	$506
March	956	0	$445
April	613	1	$285
May	325	10	$155
June	89	68	$70
July	10	176	$78
August	16	147	$69
September	145	43	$86
October	459	2	$215
November	749	0	$348
December	1,074	0	$500

What size heat pump for a Portland 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 Portland winters?: Portland averages 6.7 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 18°F, and the heating season adds up to 6,795 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Portland?: A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $3,162 of electricity a year for heating and $186 for cooling in Portland, at the Maine average of 29.3¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.
Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Portland?: Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $3,162 a year with a typical heat pump versus $1,872 with a 95% gas furnace (Maine averages: 29.3¢/kWh, $1.83/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 Portland?: 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 PORTLAND INTL JETPORT (10 km away).