Cheapest heat pumps to run in Nebraska
Ranked by estimated yearly cost if each model served the same 36,000 BTU/h (3-ton) load in Nebraska, so size doesn't distort the comparison. Because Nebraska's climate weights heating more heavily, HSPF2 (heating efficiency) matters most here. Choosing the most efficient model over the least efficient one in our database saves about $739 a year for the same load.
| # | Model | Type | Size | HSPF2 | SEER2 | 5°F kept | 3-ton cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fujitsu AOUH09KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 14 | 33.5 | 142% | $862 |
| 2 | Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.7 | 31.5 | 106% | $886 |
| 3 | Fujitsu AOUH15KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13 | 28.7 | 106% | $940 |
| 4 | Bryant 37MAHAQ09AA3 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.8 | 20.6 | 99% | $955 |
| 5 | Bryant 37MARAQ09AA3 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.9 | 19.6 | 78% | $960 |
| 6 | Bryant 37MARAQ18AA3 | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 13.5 | 20 | 71% | $978 |
| 7 | Senville SENA-24HF-OG | Mini-split | 2 tons | 13.5 | 19 | 83% | $989 |
| 8 | Senville SENA-09HF-OG | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12.5 | 21.4 | 96% | $1,024 |
| 9 | Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA09NL*** | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12.9 | 17.6 | 53% | $1,043 |
| 10 | Bryant 37MAHAQ18AA3 | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 12.4 | 18 | 90% | $1,069 |
| 11 | Senville SENA/09HF/OQ | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12 | 20.2 | 90% | $1,070 |
| 12 | Senville SENA-18HF-OG | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 12.3 | 18 | 90% | $1,076 |
Best cold-weather performers for Nebraska
Nebraska is a cold state, so heating dominates the bill and backup resistance heat is the biggest risk to running costs. These cold-climate certified models keep the most of their heating capacity at 5°F.
- Size
- 1 ton
- HSPF2
- 14
- SEER2
- 33.5
- Heat at 5°F
- 142%
- Size
- 1 ton
- HSPF2
- 10.5
- SEER2
- 22
- Heat at 5°F
- 133%
- Size
- 1.5 tons
- HSPF2
- 10
- SEER2
- 20.5
- Heat at 5°F
- 120%
- Size
- 2.5 tons
- HSPF2
- 9
- SEER2
- 21
- Heat at 5°F
- 112%
- Size
- 1.5 tons
- HSPF2
- 11.4
- SEER2
- 24.5
- Heat at 5°F
- 112%
- Size
- 1.5 tons
- HSPF2
- 10
- SEER2
- 17.5
- Heat at 5°F
- 110%
- Size
- 1 ton
- HSPF2
- 11.2
- SEER2
- 30
- Heat at 5°F
- 108%
- Size
- 3 tons
- HSPF2
- 8.5
- SEER2
- 17.5
- Heat at 5°F
- 108%
Heat pump vs. gas furnace in Nebraska
To heat the same home (2,100 full-load heating hours at 36,000 BTU/h) in Nebraska, a typical heat pump (HSPF2 9.5) would cost about $1,077 a year, an efficient one (HSPF2 10) about $1,024, versus $875 for a 95% gas furnace and $1,039 for an older 80% furnace, at Nebraska's average residential gas price of $11.40 per thousand cubic feet. In Nebraska a new high-efficiency gas furnace is cheaper to run for heating, but an efficient heat pump beats an older 80% furnace by about $15 a year.
Heating only; a heat pump also provides cooling, while a furnace needs a separate air conditioner. Gas prices: EIA, residential, annual average. Compare all states.
Assumptions for Nebraska
| Residential electricity price | 13.54¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Aug 2026, preliminary) |
| Climate group | Cold |
| Equivalent full-load heating hours | 2,100 per year |
| Equivalent full-load cooling hours | 900 per year |
Use the calculator on any model page to replace these with your own electricity rate and usage.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Nebraska?
Using Nebraska's average residential electricity price of 13.54¢/kWh, a typical 3-ton, median-efficiency heat pump costs about $1,366 a year to run. The most efficient model in our database would cost about $862 for the same load.
Is electricity expensive in Nebraska?
Nebraska's residential rate of 13.54¢/kWh is 25% below the U.S. average of 18.16¢ and ranks #45 most expensive of 51 (EIA, August 2026).
Is heating or cooling the bigger cost in Nebraska?
With our climate assumptions for Nebraska (2,100 heating and 900 cooling hours), heating accounts for about 79% of a typical heat pump's yearly energy use.
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas heat in Nebraska?
For a typical home, heating with an efficient heat pump costs about $1,024 a year versus $875 with a 95% gas furnace at Nebraska's average prices. In Nebraska a new high-efficiency gas furnace is cheaper to run for heating, but an efficient heat pump beats an older 80% furnace by about $15 a year.