Do heat pumps work in Albany winters?

Albany averages 6.8 nights a year at or below 0°F, so pick a cold-climate certified model and check its output at 5°F. The average winter low is 19°F, and the heating season adds up to 6,357 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Albany?

A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $2,893 of electricity a year for heating and $300 for cooling in Albany, at the New York average of 28.4¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.

Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Albany?

Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $2,893 a year with a typical heat pump versus $1,643 with a 95% gas furnace (New York averages: 28.4¢/kWh, $1.70/therm). A high-HSPF2 model narrows the gap, and a heat pump also replaces the air conditioner. Against propane, oil or electric heat it is usually far cheaper.

What size heat pump do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house in Albany?

With average insulation, roughly a 5-ton system: the estimated cooling load is 27,600 BTU/h and the heating load 54,000 BTU/h. Use the size calculator for your own house, and ask installers for a Manual J calculation.

Severe winters · Mild summers

Best heat pumps for Albany, NY

Albany averages 6.8 nights a year at or below 0°F, so pick a cold-climate certified model and check its output at 5°F.

A typical heat pump costs about $2,893 a year to heat a house here and $300 to cool it. A 95% gas furnace would cost $1,643 for the same heat.

Nights at or below 0°F6.8 a year
Nights at or below 20°F60 a year
Days at or above 90°F9.6 a year
Average winter low19°F
Average summer high82°F
Electricity28.4¢ per kWh
Natural gas$1.70 per therm

Cheapest to run in Albany

Ranked by yearly electricity cost in this climate, so the balance of heating and cooling efficiency is the one that matters here. Cold-climate certified models only.

Best 12,000 BTU mini-split

MDV MOX430-12HFN1-MZ60W

12,000 BTU mini-split · MSOP series · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 27.5
HSPF2: 14.5
Per year here: $660

For one large room.

Full specs and running cost

Best 24,000 BTU mini-split

SLIMAIR SHC24VH2AG

24,000 BTU mini-split · SHC Series · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 27.5
HSPF2: 14.5
Per year here: $1,321

For open-plan floor or small home.

Full specs and running cost

Best 3-ton central heat pump

TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL

3 ton central · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 29.7
HSPF2: 12.2
Per year here: $2,306

For typical whole house.

Full specs and running cost

Running cost calculator for Albany

Pre-filled with Albany's climate and New York prices. Pick a model, tell it what you heat with today, and add your quote.

Heat pump $2,099/yrCosts more by $458/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump pick a model or type its ratings

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $2,099
Current system, per year: $1,641
Costs more per year: $458
Payback: No payback
Net after 10 years: -$13,578

Cooling $170Heating $1,928Electricity used: 7,400 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $454

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

More for Albany

Top 5 12,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $660/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
MDV MOX430-12HFN1-MZ60W	27.5	14.5	$660
Goodman MSH123G26MCAA	27.5	14.5	$660
Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1	31.5	13.7	$687
Fujitsu AOUG12LZAS1	29.4	12.9	$731
Fujitsu AOUH12KZAH1	30.5	12.7	$739

All 12,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 24,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $1,321/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
SLIMAIR SHC24VH2AG	27.5	14.5	$1,321
MDV MOD30-24HFN10-M1X	22.3	13.5	$1,438
Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK	21.2	13.5	$1,446
Comfort-Aire A-VHP24SA-1	21.0	13.5	$1,448
Mainline ML24HP230NEXH-O	22.3	13.3	$1,458

All 24,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 3-ton central heat pumpsfrom $2,306/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL	29.7	12.2	$2,306
LG KUSXA361A	23.5	10.5	$2,697
Trane 5TWV0X36A1	21.0	10.5	$2,723
Lennox SL22KLV-036-230A	20.5	10.5	$2,728
Lennox EL21KLV-036-230A	20.0	10.4	$2,759

All 3-ton central heat pumps

Heat pump vs. gas, propane and oilgas is cheaper to run

Yearly cost to heat a typical house (36,000 BTU/h of heat, 2,550 full-load hours) at New York prices.

Natural gas furnace, 95% AFUE$1,643/yr
Natural gas furnace, 80% AFUE$1,951/yr
Heat pump (typical, 9.0 HSPF2)$2,893/yr
Propane furnace, 95% AFUE$3,874/yr
Heating oil, 85% AFUE$4,858/yr
Electric baseboard or furnace$7,630/yr

Electricity and natural gas: New York residential averages from the U.S. EIA; propane and heating oil: latest EIA weekly prices.

Month by monthpeak $573 in January

Heating and cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals) and what a typical 3-ton heat pump costs in each month at 28.4¢/kWh.

Month	Heating DD	Cooling DD	Cost
January	1,260	0	$573
February	1,070	0	$487
March	909	0	$414
April	514	5	$236
May	204	39	$109
June	37	139	$75
July	3	255	$107
August	10	207	$91
September	115	70	$82
October	428	5	$197
November	737	0	$335
December	1,071	0	$487

What size heat pump for a Albany home?5 ton for 2,000 sq ft

1,000 sq ft house2.5 ton · heating load 27,000 BTU/h
1,500 sq ft house3.5 ton · heating load 40,500 BTU/h
2,000 sq ft house5 ton · heating load 54,000 BTU/h
2,500 sq ft house5+ ton · heating load 67,500 BTU/h

Average insulation, 8 ft ceilings. Size calculator for your own home

Questions4

Do heat pumps work in Albany winters?: Albany averages 6.8 nights a year at or below 0°F, so pick a cold-climate certified model and check its output at 5°F. The average winter low is 19°F, and the heating season adds up to 6,357 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Albany?: A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $2,893 of electricity a year for heating and $300 for cooling in Albany, at the New York average of 28.4¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.
Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Albany?: Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $2,893 a year with a typical heat pump versus $1,643 with a 95% gas furnace (New York averages: 28.4¢/kWh, $1.70/therm). A high-HSPF2 model narrows the gap, and a heat pump also replaces the air conditioner. Against propane, oil or electric heat it is usually far cheaper.
What size heat pump do I need for a 2,000 sq ft house in Albany?: With average insulation, roughly a 5-ton system: the estimated cooling load is 27,600 BTU/h and the heating load 54,000 BTU/h. Use the size calculator for your own house, and ask installers for a Manual J calculation.

Nearby cities

Climate: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, station ALBANY AP (9 km away).