Heat pumps by metro · Illinois · Indiana · checked October 19, 2026

Heat pumps in Chicago

Winters here are long and cold, so the heat pump has to keep its output near 5°F. At Illinois prices a cold-climate heat pump delivers heat for about $22.53 per million Btu, against $11.47 for a high-efficiency gas furnace.

A kitchen table with a house floor plan, a laser measure, a tape measure and a laptop showing the plan
Climate Zone 5A 5,974 heating and 1,003 cooling degree days a year
Cold-climate heat pump $22.53 per million Btu seasonal COP 2.5 for this climate
Gas furnace (95%) $11.47 per million Btu gas costs less to run here; a heat pump would need a seasonal COP of 4.9 to match it
Heat pump programs 2 of 5 open 2 unconfirmed · Amounts and equipment rules

Climate and sizing

Winters here are long and cold, so the heat pump has to keep its output near 5°F. This is a humid climate: a variable-speed system that runs longer at low speed pulls more moisture out of the air than a single-stage one. Whatever the climate, the system should be sized from a room-by-room load calculation (ACCA Manual J), not from the size of the old air conditioner or furnace: an oversized heat pump short-cycles, dehumidifies poorly and costs more.

IECC 2021 climate zone
5A
Heating degree days (65°F)
5,974
Cooling degree days (65°F)
1,003
Weather station
CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP, IL US
Seasonal COP for planning
2.5 cold-climate · 2.2 standard
Typical home
built around 1953; 46% owner-occupied

Degree days: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. Climate zone: IECC 2021 (PNNL county list). Housing: Census American Community Survey. Seasonal COP: Seasonal COP for a whole heating season, including electric backup heat and defrost, for a heat pump sized for mild to cold weather. Planning values set slightly below modelled results (Dunsky/CCI 2024) because field studies (RDH for FortisBC; Yukon pilot) came in lower. Above 6,000 degree-days the values rest on one partial-season pilot in Whitehorse, so we use the low end of the band from 7,000 degree-days (Yellowknife).

What heat costs to run in Chicago

Cost per million Btu of heat delivered into the house, at Illinois's average residential prices from the EIA (electricity for July 2026, gas as an annual average). A typical older house in a cold climate uses 50 to 100 million Btu of heat a year; a house in the South uses far less. Here a heat pump needs a seasonal COP above 4.9 to beat a 95% gas furnace, so at these prices gas stays cheaper to run; the case for a heat pump rests on replacing the air conditioner, cutting emissions or a time-of-use rate.

Delivered heat cost by fuel in Chicago
Heating system Cost per million Btu of heat vs cheapest Based on
Natural gas furnace (95%) $11.47 cheapest $1.09 per therm (2025 average)
Propane furnace (93%) $21.50 +87% $1.83 per gallon before tax (week of October 5, 2026)
Cold-climate heat pump $22.53 +96% seasonal COP 2.5 for this climate
Standard heat pump $25.60 +123% seasonal COP 2.2
Electric furnace or baseboards $56.33 +391% 19.2¢ per kWh (July 2026)

Against electric resistance heat (baseboards or an electric furnace), even a standard heat pump cuts the heating bill by about 55%.

Prices: EIA electricity · EIA natural gas. Your own rate plan may differ, especially on a time-of-use or heat pump rate.

Heat pump rebates in Chicago

Every heat pump program we found for the Chicago area, with the equipment rule that decides which models qualify. Checked against each program's own page on October 19, 2026. Most utility programs need an AHRI-matched system; check the exact pairing in the AHRI directory before you sign.

ComEd heat pump instant discounts (ducted air-source, ductless mini-split, geothermal)

Unconfirmed

ComEd Energy Efficiency Program

Heat pump amountsNot re-confirmed on October 19, 2026: ComEd's pages didn't load. Our October 12 check: ducted air-source Tier 1 up to $900 (up to $1,400 at 2.5 tons or more); Tier 2 up to $1,500 (up to $2,000 at 2.5 tons or more); ductless mini-split up to $500 (up to $1,000 at 1.5 tons or more); $75 for an ENERGY STAR smart thermostat installed with the heat pump; geothermal up to $6,000 per home, with indoor-unit replacements at $800 (17+ EER) or $1,200 (20+ EER).

Equipment ruleNot re-confirmed on October 19. Our October 12 check: Tier 1 at least 15.2 SEER2, 9.4 EER2 and 8.1 HSPF2; Tier 2 at least 17 SEER2, 9.4 EER2 and 8.5 HSPF2; ductless at least 17 SEER2, 9.4 EER2 and 9 HSPF2. Equipment must be AHRI-listed and use refrigerant with a GWP of 700 or less; sell-through R-410A equipment became eligible 'effective July 27, 2026'.

Other conditionsNot re-confirmed on October 19. Our October 12 check: a ComEd Heat Pump Trained Contractor is required and self-installs don't qualify. Geothermal needs an ICC-certified ComEd Energy Efficiency Service Provider with geothermal certification, plus pre-approval.

Statusnot confirmed on October 19, 2026. Our October 12 check shows it available, 'subject to change or cancellation due to funding limits'.

comed.com ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

ComEd Whole Home Electric (free heat pump for income-eligible homes)

Unconfirmed

ComEd Energy Efficiency Program

Heat pump amountsNot re-confirmed on October 19 (page didn't load). Our October 12 check: a free air-source heat pump, plus a heat pump water heater, stove and dryer depending on the home, for single-family customers at or below 80% AMI.

Equipment ruleNot verifiable (page didn't load).

Other conditionsProgram-delivered. per our October 12 check, the Chicago Bungalow Association also takes applications.

Statusnot confirmed on October 19. Our October 12 check quotes ComEd: '2026 funding for homes currently heated with natural gas has been fully allocated... Please check back in January 2027.'

comed.com ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Green Homes Chicago (free whole-home retrofits including heat pumps)

Not open yet

City of Chicago Department of Housing

Heat pump amountsFree upgrades for income-eligible owners (up to 80% AMI), including 'heat pump heating and cooling systems' and new insulation.

Equipment ruleNot stated on the City page (no cold-climate or efficiency specification).

Other conditionsProgram-arranged; a site inspection sets the scope. The page names no contractor arrangement.

Statusnot open. The City page still shows a May 6-24, 2024 registration window and names no new one. Our October 12 check, citing the City's Feb. 2026 release, says the last window ran Feb. 17-27, 2026.

chicago.gov ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Peoples Gas / North Shore Gas gas heat pump rebate

Open

Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas energy efficiency program

Heat pump amountsGas heat pump for space heating (225,000 Btu/hr or less): $575. Integrated space heating plus domestic hot water gas heat pump (225,000 Btu/hr or less): $700. These are gas-fired heat pumps, not electric ones.

Equipment ruleEquipment must 'meet energy-efficiency specifications listed on the residential application', but the 2026 HVAC and Water Heating application (valid Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2026), as read on October 19, 2026, showed no gas heat pump measure, so the specification could not be confirmed. Equipment must be new, and the old equipment removed.

Other conditionsThere is no approved-contractor requirement for equipment; that applies only to weatherization. The application allows self-installed projects.

peoplesgasdelivery.com ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Indiana Energy Saver Program: Home Appliance Rebates (HEAR)

Open

Indiana Office of Energy Development, with U.S. DOE funds

Heat pump amountsNot listed on the program pages read. The site cites about $182 million in federal funding and lists heat pumps among eligible upgrades.

Equipment ruleNot stated on the program pages read. Federal statute requires ENERGY STAR certification for HEEHR-funded heat pumps.

Other conditionsApproved contractors (Qualified Contractor Network). Retroactive HEAR rebates are not permitted.

indianaenergysaver.com ↗ · checked October 19, 2026

Federal

Federal tax credit (25C)

Ended

No 25C credit for a heat pump placed in service after December 31, 2025. Heat pumps installed in 2025 are claimed on 2025 returns.

irs.gov ↗

High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebates

The federal rebate (formerly HEAR) pays up to $8,000 toward an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump for income-qualified households, through the state. Since May 29, 2026 it covers only upgrades from existing electric equipment, and the installer must be on the state's contractor list. Each state runs its own program; the status is in the list above.

Program rules ↗

Audit programs, other rebates and help for lower-income homes: our Chicago guide.

Systems that suit Chicago

The certified systems that heat most efficiently at 5°F, and those that cool most efficiently, on current refrigerants, from ENERGY STAR's US listings. Rebadged twins with identical ratings are folded into one row.

Central systems that heat best in the cold (2 tons and up)

Central systems that heat best in the cold (2 tons and up) for Chicago
Brand Outdoor / indoor model Size Heat at 5°F COP at 5°F HSPF2 SEER2 Refrigerant AHRI #
Samsung Hylex AC060FCUPCG FEMUU1A60S001R 56,000 BTU/h 4.5-ton 43,000 BTU/h 77% of rated 2.58 9.0 17.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217734250
Samsung Hylex AC048FCUPCG FEMTT7A60S001R 48,000 BTU/h 4-ton 40,500 BTU/h 84% of rated 2.52 8.5 16.5 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217734248
Hisense Hi-PRO HD AUWR-60U3TH5 AUH-48UX3TEH3 Same ratings also listed as Multi MFG 48,000 BTU/h 4-ton 37,000 BTU/h 77% of rated 2.52 9.0 19.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 215270433
Lennox Elite EL21KLV SERIES EL21KLV-036-230A** CK40HT-30B-**+TDR 30,800 BTU/h 3-ton 22,600 BTU/h 73% of rated 2.48 9.0 18.5 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217443282
Midea MVB Series MOE30-36HFN10-M3X MVBDM-36HWFN10-WC3 36,000 BTU/h 3-ton 36,000 BTU/h 100% of rated 2.46 10.0 18.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 216967947
Hisense Hi-PRO HD AUWR-6024P AUH-6024 Same ratings also listed as Multi MFG 57,000 BTU/h 5-ton 42,000 BTU/h 74% of rated 2.46 9.0 19.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 214855379
Armstrong Air, AirEase, Ducane and Concord A7CP21V Series A7CP21V36P-**A 7EH30BX-**+TDR Same ratings also listed as AC PRO 30,600 BTU/h 3-ton 22,400 BTU/h 73% of rated 2.46 9.0 19.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217446281
GE Appliances and Haier NS21H Series NS21H36MA5-**A NCHC30BT5*-**+TDR 30,600 BTU/h 3-ton 22,400 BTU/h 73% of rated 2.46 9.0 17.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217642661

Mini-splits that heat best in the cold

Mini-splits that heat best in the cold for Chicago
Brand Outdoor / indoor model Size Heat at 5°F COP at 5°F HSPF2 SEER2 Refrigerant AHRI #
Midea M3O Series M3OX430-27HFN8-M1 Same ratings also listed as Innovair, Stelpro, Dettson and Ouellet 27,000 BTU/h 2.5-ton 21,400 BTU/h 79% of rated 2.80 10.0 22.5 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 218461516
Fujitsu AIRSTAGE H-Series AOUH12KTAP1 ASUH12KTAS 15,300 BTU/h 1-ton 16,200 BTU/h 106% of rated 2.62 13.7 31.5 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 216018256
Hitachi airCore700 PAS-18BUFASDQ1-LAC PCI-B18UFA1DQ 18,000 BTU/h 1.5-ton 15,000 BTU/h 83% of rated 2.60 11.0 27.0 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217450776
York airCore700 YPAS18BUFASDQ1 YPCIB18UFA1DQ Same ratings also listed as Hitachi 20,000 BTU/h 1.5-ton 16,200 BTU/h 81% of rated 2.60 11.0 25.0 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 218694242
York Y600 YRACGJ09WHAA YRAKGJ09PHAA Same ratings also listed as Hitachi 9,000 BTU/h 1-ton 8,400 BTU/h 93% of rated 2.57 11.4 23.0 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 218037188
Carrier 45M Series 37MARAQ24AA3 45MAHAQ24XA3 Same ratings also listed as Bryant, Midea, Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands, Payne and WeatherMaker, Kenmore, LPS Legacy, Smart Comfort 25,000 BTU/h 2-ton 19,600 BTU/h 78% of rated 2.54 11.7 23.1 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 215323752
Bosch BMS Series BMS500-AAS024-1CSXRD BMS500-AAU024-1AHWXD Same ratings also listed as Midea, Moovair, Innovair, Stelpro, Dettson and Ouellet, Cooper & Hunter, ACiQ, Blueridge, AC PRO, CanAir 25,000 BTU/h 2-ton 19,600 BTU/h 78% of rated 2.54 11.7 23.0 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 215223306
Fujitsu AIRSTAGE H-Series AOUH15KTAP1 ASUH15KTAS 17,400 BTU/h 1-ton 18,400 BTU/h 106% of rated 2.52 13.0 28.7 R-32 ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 216018257

Central systems that cool most efficiently

Central systems that cool most efficiently for Chicago
Brand Outdoor / indoor model Size SEER2 EER2 HSPF2 COP at 5°F Refrigerant AHRI #
Carrier Infinity 23 VS Heat Pump 27VNA324A*030* CVAMA4421XMA*+UI Same ratings also listed as Bryant, Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands, ACiQ, Kenmore 27,600 BTU/h 2-ton 23.0 14.0 9.5 2.06 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217624611
Bryant Evolution 23 VS Heat Pump 293VAN048**AA* FE5BNBD60L*+UI Same ratings also listed as Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands, ACiQ, Kenmore 48,000 BTU/h 4-ton 23.0 12.5 9.5 1.98 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 215931505
Carrier Infinity 23 VS Heat Pump 27VNA336A*030* CVAVA6124XMA*+UI Same ratings also listed as Bryant, Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands, ACiQ, Kenmore 37,600 BTU/h 3-ton 22.5 12.5 8.5 2.06 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 215936924
Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands SmartSense 23 VS HP B5H3V36*K*AAA* EVM5X61M24A*+WALLCON Same ratings also listed as Kenmore 37,600 BTU/h 3-ton 22.5 12.5 8.5 2.04 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 218411807
York LX SERIES YH960E2C11 CTM60C5CGS1+JMC17C2SN1+CC Same ratings also listed as Coleman and Luxaire, Kenmore 48,000 BTU/h 4-ton 22.0 12.0 9.0 2.00 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 218026792
Mitsubishi Electric P series 5HCL9036A1000A* 5TEM9D04AC31SA* 40,000 BTU/h 3-ton 21.2 12.1 9.2 2.10 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 217497618
Lennox DAVE LENNOX SIGNATURE SL22KLV SERIES SL22KLV-060-230A** CK40[C,U]T-60C-**+TDR 51,000 BTU/h 4.5-ton 21.1 11.7 9.0 1.96 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 216776120
Lennox Elite EL21KLV SERIES EL21KLV-024-230A** CK40HT-24B-**+TDR Same ratings also listed as Armstrong Air, AirEase, Ducane and Concord 24,000 BTU/h 2-ton 21.0 13.5 8.2 1.90 R-454B ENERGY STAR Cold Climate 218745112

Brands with the most cold-climate models

Outdoor models that meet ENERGY STAR Cold Climate, by brand. Each brand page has the warranty, product lines and best models.

Heat pump brands for Chicago
Brand ENERGY STAR Cold Climate Best COP at 5°F All certified models Price tier
Midea 523 2.89 629 Mid-range
Gree 368 2.40 406 Mid-range
Mitsubishi Electric 241 3.28 369 Premium
Innovair, Stelpro, Dettson and Ouellet 209 2.80 220 Mid-range
Innova (formerly Ephoca) 191 2.30 191 Premium
TCL 166 2.25 176 Not rated
Blueridge 161 2.54 202 Budget
Heil, Tempstar, Comfortmaker, KeepRite and other ICP brands 146 2.89 275 Budget to premium
Moovair 136 2.89 152 Mid-range
Bryant 123 2.89 219 Budget to premium
Carrier 123 2.89 201 Budget to premium
Comfort-Aire and Century 123 2.44 151 Mid-range

Compare every brand · All 43 brand pages and every certified name

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