Do heat pumps work in Norfolk winters?

Winters in Norfolk are mild, so heating efficiency matters less than cooling. The average winter low is 36°F, and the heating season adds up to 3,106 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).

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

A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $828 of electricity a year for heating and $456 for cooling in Norfolk, at the Virginia average of 16.6¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.

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

Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $828 a year with a typical heat pump versus $767 with a 95% gas furnace (Virginia averages: 16.6¢/kWh, $1.62/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 Norfolk?

With average insulation, roughly a 3.5-ton system: the estimated cooling load is 32,100 BTU/h and the heating load 38,000 BTU/h. Use the size calculator for your own house, and ask installers for a Manual J calculation.

Mild winters · Hot summers

Best heat pumps for Norfolk, VA

Winters in Norfolk are mild, so heating efficiency matters less than cooling.

A typical heat pump costs about $828 a year to heat a house here and $456 to cool it. A 95% gas furnace would cost $767 for the same heat.

This guide also covers Suffolk, which share Norfolk's weather station and climate data.

Nights at or below 0°F0 a year
Nights at or below 20°F2.5 a year
Days at or above 90°F42 a year
Average winter low36°F
Average summer high87°F
Electricity16.6¢ per kWh
Natural gas$1.62 per therm

Cheapest to run in Norfolk

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

Best 12,000 BTU mini-split

Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1

12,000 BTU mini-split · AIRSTAGE H-Series · cold-climate certified

SEER2: 31.5
HSPF2: 13.7
Per year here: $263

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: $530

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: $871

For typical whole house.

Full specs and running cost

Running cost calculator for Norfolk

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

Heat pump $810/yrYou save $314/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: $810
Current system, per year: $1,124
You save per year: $314
Payback: 28.7 years
Net after 10 years: -$5,860

Cooling $258Heating $552Electricity used: 4,893 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $213

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 Norfolk

Top 5 12,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $263/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1	31.5	13.7	$263
MDV MOX430-12HFN1-MZ60W	27.5	14.5	$265
Goodman MSH123G26MCAA	27.5	14.5	$265
Fujitsu AOUH12KZAH1	30.5	12.7	$280
Fujitsu AOUG12LZAS1	29.4	12.9	$280

All 12,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 24,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $530/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
SLIMAIR SHC24VH2AG	27.5	14.5	$530
MDV MOD30-24HFN10-M1X	22.3	13.5	$599
Mainline ML24HP230NEXH-O	22.3	13.3	$605
ComfortStar CHF3-24CD(O)	22.3	13.3	$605
Arcoaire D5CSHAH24AAK	21.2	13.5	$611

All 24,000 BTU mini-splits

Top 5 3-ton central heat pumpsfrom $871/yr

Model	SEER2	HSPF2	Per year
TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL	29.7	12.2	$871
LG KUSXA361A	23.5	10.5	$1,039
LG KUSXB361A	22.0	10.3	$1,075
Trane 5TWV0X36A1	21.0	10.5	$1,078
Lennox SL22KLV-036-230A	20.5	10.5	$1,087

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, 1,250 full-load hours) at Virginia prices.

Natural gas furnace, 95% AFUE$767/yr
Heat pump (typical, 9.0 HSPF2)$828/yr
Natural gas furnace, 80% AFUE$911/yr
Propane furnace, 95% AFUE$1,905/yr
Electric baseboard or furnace$2,183/yr
Heating oil, 85% AFUE$2,274/yr

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

Month by monthpeak $190 in January

Heating and cooling degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals) and what a typical 3-ton heat pump costs in each month at 16.6¢/kWh.

Month	Heating DD	Cooling DD	Cost
January	713	1	$190
February	586	1	$156
March	462	8	$125
April	205	52	$67
May	53	153	$52
June	5	341	$86
July	0	485	$121
August	0	431	$108
September	5	268	$68
October	117	73	$49
November	367	8	$100
December	594	2	$159

What size heat pump for a Norfolk home?3.5 ton for 2,000 sq ft

1,000 sq ft house2 ton · heating load 19,000 BTU/h
1,500 sq ft house2.5 ton · heating load 28,500 BTU/h
2,000 sq ft house3.5 ton · heating load 38,000 BTU/h
2,500 sq ft house4 ton · heating load 47,500 BTU/h

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

Questions4

Do heat pumps work in Norfolk winters?: Winters in Norfolk are mild, so heating efficiency matters less than cooling. The average winter low is 36°F, and the heating season adds up to 3,106 heating degree days (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
How much does it cost to run a heat pump in Norfolk?: A typical 3-ton central heat pump (17.0 SEER2, 9.0 HSPF2) uses about $828 of electricity a year for heating and $456 for cooling in Norfolk, at the Virginia average of 16.6¢/kWh. The most efficient models cost less - see the rankings above.
Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas furnace in Norfolk?: Not on heating alone at today's prices: about $828 a year with a typical heat pump versus $767 with a 95% gas furnace (Virginia averages: 16.6¢/kWh, $1.62/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 Norfolk?: With average insulation, roughly a 3.5-ton system: the estimated cooling load is 32,100 BTU/h and the heating load 38,000 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 NORFOLK NAS (4 km away).