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?
Electricity use rises when a heat pump becomes a home's heating source, while oil, propane, or gas use falls. The net cost depends on current rates and performance. Use the homeowner's current utility bill and delivered-fuel price in our Heat Pump Cost Comparison Calculator instead of relying on a statewide price frozen into this article.
Backup heat in NH installations
Backup design depends on the selected heat pump, the home's load, electrical capacity, resilience goals, and the homeowner's priorities. Options can include:
- Dual-fuel: a compatible gas, propane, or oil furnace can serve as backup when the design supports it.
- 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?
Electricity use rises when a heat pump serves more of the heating load, while delivered-fuel use may fall. Net cost depends on the home, equipment, controls, weather, and current rates. Use current inputs in the site's calculator.
Can I run a heat pump on a generator during a power outage?
A standby generator can run a heat pump when an electrician's load calculation accounts for the selected equipment's startup and continuous demand plus the other circuits the homeowner wants to carry. Do not choose generator size from a universal kilowatt range.
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.