How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost in Columbus? [2025 Data]

Installing a heat pump costs $6,027 on average in Columbus, Ohio, with most homeowners spending between $4,497 and $7,558, depending on heat pump type, size, and efficiency. Columbus is no stranger to frigid winter temperatures and surprise snowstorms, and the city’s residents are just as familiar with hot, humid summers. To handle these variable temperatures, many homeowners here are turning to energy-efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling.

Heat Pump Cost Factors

The cost of a heat pump for a home in Columbus depends on multiple factors, such as whether you’re looking to install an air-source or ground-source model and what capacity you’ll need based on your home’s square footage. Consider the following cost factors when budgeting for a new heat pump.

Size

First, you’ll need to determine what size heat pump works best based on the size of your home. For every 500 square feet, you’ll need one ton of capacity from a heat pump. The median home size in Columbus is 1,800 square feet, so many homes need 3 tons of heat pump capacity. 

Rather than trying to estimate the right heat pump size for your home, leave it to a local HVAC pro in Columbus, Ohio.

Type

Homeowners have a choice when it comes to the type of heat pump they install. In Columbus, the most common type of heat pump is air-source, which transfers air between the inside of your home and the outdoors for efficient heating and cooling. However, because Columbus winters can bring freezing temperatures, it’s also wise to consider a hybrid system, which has a backup heat source.

Here are the costs, plus some pros and cons, to consider for each type of heat pump.

Efficiency

Heat pump efficiency is measured by the SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. While even standard-efficiency heat pumps offer energy savings compared to traditional HVAC systems, higher efficiency models provide even better savings through reduced energy costs.

Ductwork

Heat pumps are available as ducted or ductless systems. If you have existing ducts and want a ducted system, you may need to repair or replace your air ducts. Otherwise, you risk losing your heat pump’s energy savings through damaged, leaky ducts. Air duct replacement costs $261 to $1,121 in Columbus, Ohio.

Prep

If you’re installing a geothermal or water-source heat pump, you’ll need to pay extra to lay the piping from the ground or water source to your home. In Columbus, the cost for land excavation ranges from $1,549 to $8,009, depending on your location. In areas downtown, costs will be higher.

HVAC Pro Costs

Hiring an HVAC pro is required for installing a heat pump since these appliances contain refrigerants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, per the Clean Air Act, requires pros to have Section 608 certification to install a heat pump. In Columbus, hiring an HVAC pro costs $115 per hour, per worker, with heat pump installations ranging from four hours for an air-source heat pump to up to three weeks for a geothermal system.

Your HVAC contractor will handle the permitting process and include the cost of permit fees in the project total. The contractor will need to pull the appropriate permits from the city’s Department of Building and Zoning Services. Permit fees for a heat pump in Columbus cost $250, which includes the cost of two inspections.

Does a Heat Pump Increase Home Value?

A heat pump can increase the value of your Columbus home by 4% to 7% because buyers find a new, energy-efficient HVAC system to be a highly attractive feature in a property. But whether you’re selling soon or plan to stay put for many years, heat pumps also offer an excellent return on your investment. According to the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Ohioans can save $1,107 to $1,552 per year by installing a heat pump, and the appliance often pays for itself within five years.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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