HVAC Rated

Mild winters

Best heat pumps for Southwest

Any modern variable-speed heat pump handles this climate. Very hot summers, from dry desert heat to Gulf humidity, and short heating seasons outside the high country.

A typical heat pump heats for less than a 95% gas furnace in 2 of 5 states here, and for far less than heating oil or propane everywhere.

Cheapest to run in Southwest

More for Southwest

Heat pump vs. gas and oil, by state2 of 5 favor the heat pump
  • Arizonaheat pump $278 · gas $305 · oil $822
  • New Mexicoheat pump $945 · gas $558 · oil $2,832
  • Nevadaheat pump $570 · gas $505 · oil $1,918
  • Oklahomaheat pump $763 · gas $737 · oil $2,558
  • Texasheat pump $448 · gas $496 · oil $1,279

Yearly cost to heat a typical house (36,000 BTU/h) at each state's prices and climate.

Top 6: 3-ton central heat pumpsfrom $759/yr
Top 6: 12,000 BTU mini-splitsfrom $232/yr
Questions3
What is the best heat pump for the Southwest?
Ranked by yearly running cost in the regional climate, the leading 3-ton central heat pump is the TOSHIBA CARRIER MCY-MUB0368HS2P-UL and the leading 12,000 BTU mini-split is the Fujitsu AOUH12KTAP1. City guides below adjust this for local weather and prices.
Do heat pumps work in the Southwest winters?
Across the region's large cities there are on average 0.0 nights a year at or below 0°F and 4 at or below 20°F (NOAA 1991-2020 normals). Any modern variable-speed heat pump handles these winters.
Is a heat pump cheaper than gas in the Southwest?
At current prices a typical heat pump heats for less than a 95% gas furnace in 2 of 5 states in the region. Against heating oil or propane it is cheaper everywhere here.

City guides in Southwest

Other regions