Cheapest heat pumps to run in Rhode Island
Ranked by estimated yearly cost if each model served the same 36,000 BTU/h (3-ton) load in Rhode Island, so size doesn't distort the comparison. Because Rhode Island'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 $1,486 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% | $1,776 |
| 2 | Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.7 | 31.5 | 106% | $1,822 |
| 3 | Bryant 37MAHAQ09AA3 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.8 | 20.6 | 99% | $1,913 |
| 4 | Bryant 37MARAQ09AA3 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.9 | 19.6 | 78% | $1,916 |
| 5 | Fujitsu AOUH15KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13 | 28.7 | 106% | $1,929 |
| 6 | Bryant 37MARAQ18AA3 | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 13.5 | 20 | 71% | $1,958 |
| 7 | Senville SENA-24HF-OG | Mini-split | 2 tons | 13.5 | 19 | 83% | $1,974 |
| 8 | Senville SENA-09HF-OG | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12.5 | 21.4 | 96% | $2,070 |
| 9 | Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA09NL*** | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12.9 | 17.6 | 53% | $2,076 |
| 10 | Bryant 37MAHAQ18AA3 | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 12.4 | 18 | 90% | $2,138 |
| 11 | Senville SENA-18HF-OG | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 12.3 | 18 | 90% | $2,153 |
| 12 | Senville SENA/09HF/OQ | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12 | 20.2 | 90% | $2,161 |
Best cold-weather performers for Rhode Island
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
To heat the same home (2,200 full-load heating hours at 36,000 BTU/h) in Rhode Island, a typical heat pump (HSPF2 9.5) would cost about $2,349 a year, an efficient one (HSPF2 10) about $2,232, versus $1,741 for a 95% gas furnace and $2,068 for an older 80% furnace, at Rhode Island's average residential gas price of $21.66 per thousand cubic feet (2024). With cheap gas and comparatively expensive electricity, gas heating is cheaper to run in Rhode Island. A dual-fuel system (heat pump plus gas backup) is often the lowest-cost setup here.
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 Rhode Island
| Residential electricity price | 28.18¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Aug 2026, preliminary) |
| Climate group | Cold |
| Equivalent full-load heating hours | 2,200 per year |
| Equivalent full-load cooling hours | 600 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 Rhode Island?
Using Rhode Island's average residential electricity price of 28.18¢/kWh, a typical 3-ton, median-efficiency heat pump costs about $2,750 a year to run. The most efficient model in our database would cost about $1,776 for the same load.
Is electricity expensive in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's residential rate of 28.18¢/kWh is 55% above the U.S. average of 18.16¢ and ranks #7 most expensive of 51 (EIA, August 2026).
Is heating or cooling the bigger cost in Rhode Island?
With our climate assumptions for Rhode Island (2,200 heating and 600 cooling hours), heating accounts for about 85% of a typical heat pump's yearly energy use.
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas heat in Rhode Island?
For a typical home, heating with an efficient heat pump costs about $2,232 a year versus $1,741 with a 95% gas furnace at Rhode Island's average prices. With cheap gas and comparatively expensive electricity, gas heating is cheaper to run in Rhode Island. A dual-fuel system (heat pump plus gas backup) is often the lowest-cost setup here.