Does a Heat Pump Run on Electricity?

Yes, a heat pump runs on electricity. But unlike a traditional electric heater that converts electricity into heat, a heat pump moves existing heat from one place to another. Moving heat takes far less energy than creating it, so a heat pump can deliver up to 2 to 5 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity it consumes. That is its efficiency advantage over electric resistance heat, oil, propane, and often natural gas.

How a heat pump uses electricity

A heat pump uses electricity for three components:

• Compressor: the biggest electrical load. It raises the refrigerant's pressure and temperature.
• Outdoor fan: moves outdoor air across the outdoor coil.
• Indoor blower: moves household air across the indoor coil (in ducted systems and ductless mini split heads).

Modern variable-speed inverter compressors run at different speeds based on demand, so electricity use scales smoothly with the heat load instead of cycling between full power and off.

What COP means and typical NH values

Efficiency is measured by the Coefficient of Performance (COP): the ratio of heat output to electrical input. A COP of 1.0 is electric resistance heat (1 unit of heat per 1 unit of electricity); a COP of 3.0 means 3 units of heat per unit of electricity. Some air-source units hit COP 4.0 to 5.0 in very mild conditions.

For a quality cold-climate heat pump in a southern NH home:

• At 47°F outdoor: COP 3.0 to 3.5
• At 17°F outdoor: COP 2.0 to 2.5
• At 5°F outdoor: COP 1.5 to 2.0
• At -10°F outdoor: COP 1.2 to 1.5

Even at -10°F, the heat pump still beats electric resistance heat (COP 1.0), and for most of the NH heating season it operates well above COP 2.0.

Heat pump vs. combustion heating

Compared to fuel-burning systems:

• Modern gas, propane, or oil furnace/boiler: COP of roughly 0.78 to 0.96 (loses 4 to 22 percent of fuel energy up the flue)
• Cold-climate heat pump: COP 2.0 to 3.5 across most NH winter conditions

That is 2 to 4 times more useful heat per unit of energy. Even though electricity costs more per BTU than gas, the net result in NH is typically lower or competitive operating cost. A heat pump on the New England grid also produces meaningfully lower carbon emissions per BTU than burning oil, propane, or gas at home, since coal is nearly retired and the grid keeps getting cleaner as renewables come online.

What does a heat pump cost to run?

At mid-2026 NH rates (electricity around $0.30 per kWh, oil around $4.30 per gallon, propane around $3.75 per gallon):

• Cold-climate heat pump (average COP 2.5): roughly $24 to $35 per million BTU
• Natural gas (95 percent AFUE): roughly $13 to $19 per million BTU where available
• Propane (95 percent AFUE): roughly $29 to $46 per million BTU
• Fuel oil (87 percent AFUE): roughly $25 to $42 per million BTU
• Electric resistance: roughly $59 to $88 per million BTU

Heat pumps are competitive with natural gas in NH and beat oil, propane, and electric resistance handily. Rates change, so re-run the comparison with current numbers before any equipment decision.

Backup heat in NH installations

For most NH heat pump installations, a backup heat source covers the deepest cold:

• Dual-fuel: an existing or new gas, propane, or oil furnace serves as backup. Most common configuration in NH.
• All-electric: electric resistance strips inside the air handler take over below the heat pump's effective range.
• Boiler pairing: for hydronic homes, a mini split heat pump adds cooling and supplemental heat while the existing boiler continues to serve most of the home.

Try the cost comparison calculator

Want to see how the COP math plays out at your actual electric and fuel rates? Our Heat Pump Cost Comparison Calculator shows cost per million BTU side-by-side for heat pumps vs. oil, propane, and natural gas at different outdoor temperatures. If you are evaluating a heat pump for your NH home, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating or call 603-623-0412 for a free quote. Serving New Hampshire families since 1928.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a heat pump use a lot of electricity?

Less than you might think. Because heat pumps move heat rather than producing it, they use up to one-half to one-third the electricity of an electric resistance heater for the same heat output. Total household electricity goes up, but the heating cost that previously went to oil, propane, or gas drops more.

What is a good COP for a heat pump?

For NH conditions, a quality cold-climate heat pump should maintain COP above 2.0 down to about 5°F outdoor, and COP above 3.0 at typical mild-winter temperatures.

Will a heat pump increase my electric bill?

Yes, but your fossil fuel bill drops more. Net heating cost typically goes down 20 to 40 percent for NH homes converting from oil or propane to a dual-fuel system.

Can I run a heat pump on a generator during a power outage?

Yes, if the generator is sized to support the heat pump's startup current and continuous load. A typical 14 to 18 kW standby generator can run a residential heat pump along with essential household loads.

Does a heat pump work without backup heat?

In well-insulated homes, yes. In older NH homes with high heat loss, a backup heat source (furnace, boiler, or electric resistance) is recommended to maintain comfort on the coldest nights.