Cheapest heat pumps to run in West Virginia
Ranked by estimated yearly cost if each model served the same 36,000 BTU/h (3-ton) load in West Virginia, so size doesn't distort the comparison. Because West Virginia'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 $769 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% | $895 |
| 2 | Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.7 | 31.5 | 106% | $921 |
| 3 | Fujitsu AOUH15KTAP1 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13 | 28.7 | 106% | $977 |
| 4 | Bryant 37MAHAQ09AA3 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.8 | 20.6 | 99% | $994 |
| 5 | Bryant 37MARAQ09AA3 | Mini-split | 1 ton | 13.9 | 19.6 | 78% | $1,000 |
| 6 | Bryant 37MARAQ18AA3 | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 13.5 | 20 | 71% | $1,018 |
| 7 | Senville SENA-24HF-OG | Mini-split | 2 tons | 13.5 | 19 | 83% | $1,030 |
| 8 | Senville SENA-09HF-OG | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12.5 | 21.4 | 96% | $1,065 |
| 9 | Mitsubishi Electric SUZ-AA09NL*** | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12.9 | 17.6 | 53% | $1,086 |
| 10 | Senville SENA/09HF/OQ | Mini-split | 1 ton | 12 | 20.2 | 90% | $1,113 |
| 11 | Bryant 37MAHAQ18AA3 | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 12.4 | 18 | 90% | $1,113 |
| 12 | Senville SENA-18HF-OG | Mini-split | 1.5 tons | 12.3 | 18 | 90% | $1,120 |
Heat pump vs. gas furnace in West Virginia
To heat the same home (1,800 full-load heating hours at 36,000 BTU/h) in West Virginia, a typical heat pump (HSPF2 9.5) would cost about $1,113 a year, an efficient one (HSPF2 10) about $1,057, versus $908 for a 95% gas furnace and $1,078 for an older 80% furnace, at West Virginia's average residential gas price of $13.80 per thousand cubic feet. In West Virginia a new high-efficiency gas furnace is cheaper to run for heating, but an efficient heat pump beats an older 80% furnace by about $21 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 West Virginia
| Residential electricity price | 16.31¢/kWh (EIA Electric Power Monthly, Aug 2026, preliminary) |
| Climate group | Mixed |
| Equivalent full-load heating hours | 1,800 per year |
| Equivalent full-load cooling hours | 800 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 West Virginia?
Using West Virginia's average residential electricity price of 16.31¢/kWh, a typical 3-ton, median-efficiency heat pump costs about $1,422 a year to run. The most efficient model in our database would cost about $895 for the same load.
Is electricity expensive in West Virginia?
West Virginia's residential rate of 16.31¢/kWh is 10% below the U.S. average of 18.16¢ and ranks #27 most expensive of 51 (EIA, August 2026).
Is heating or cooling the bigger cost in West Virginia?
With our climate assumptions for West Virginia (1,800 heating and 800 cooling hours), heating accounts for about 78% of a typical heat pump's yearly energy use.
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas heat in West Virginia?
For a typical home, heating with an efficient heat pump costs about $1,057 a year versus $908 with a 95% gas furnace at West Virginia's average prices. In West Virginia a new high-efficiency gas furnace is cheaper to run for heating, but an efficient heat pump beats an older 80% furnace by about $21 a year.