Loading NuWatt Energy...
We use your location to provide localized solar offers and incentives.
We serve MA, NH, CT, RI, ME, VT, NJ, PA, and TX
Loading NuWatt Energy...
Yes — your electric bill goes up. But your oil, gas, or propane bill drops even more. Here are the real numbers for Connecticut homeowners with Eversource and United Illuminating.
+$80-$150/mo
Electric Bill Increase
Winter heating months
-$250-$450/mo
Fuel Bill Eliminated
Oil heat savings
$1,200-$2,400
Net Annual Savings
vs. oil heat
Enter your home details and current heating fuel to see how a heat pump changes your monthly costs.
Total spent on heating oil per year
Estimated Annual Net Savings
$1,033/yr
You save $86/month on average by switching from heating oil to a heat pump.
$2,500/yr
Heating Oil — this goes away with a heat pump
+$1,467/yr
~5,434 kWh/yr at $0.27/kWh
Save $172/mo
Electric bill rises ~$245/mo but fuel bill drops ~$417/mo
Roughly the same as current AC
Heat pump cooling is as efficient or better than traditional AC
How it works: Your heat pump operates at an average COP of 3.2 in Connecticut, meaning it produces 3.2x more heat energy than the electricity it consumes. Oil furnaces are only 78-87% efficient — most of the energy goes up the chimney.
Rate discount available: CT does not currently offer a discounted heat pump electric rate. However, Energize CT rebates ($250-$1,000/ton) and Smart-E loans at 0.99% APR reduce your upfront cost significantly.
Focusing only on your electric bill misses the full picture. A heat pump replaces your heating fuel — and the fuel savings almost always outweigh the extra electricity.
Switching from Oil
$1,200-$2,400/yr
~$100-$200/mo heating season
Switching from Natural Gas
$400-$900/yr
~$30-$75/mo heating season
Switching from Propane
$1,800-$3,200/yr
~$150-$270/mo heating season
Connecticut has two main electric utilities. Their rates affect your heat pump operating cost, but the difference between them is small.
~72% of CT
Annual HP electricity cost
$810-$1,620
3,000-6,000 kWh extra
~28% of CT (Greater New Haven, Bridgeport)
Annual HP electricity cost
$840-$1,680
3,000-6,000 kWh extra
Key takeaway: The $0.01/kWh difference between Eversource and UI means only $30-$60 more per year in heat pump operating costs. Your previous heating fuel matters far more than which CT utility serves you.
Heat pump economics change with the seasons. Winter is where you spend more on electricity but save the most on fuel.
Electric Bill Change
+$80-$150/mo
Fuel Bill Change
-$250-$450/mo (oil) or -$180-$280/mo (gas)
Net Effect
$50-$300/mo net savings
Heat pump handles 90%+ of heating in modern cold-climate units. Backup resistance heat only kicks in below -5°F — rare in most of CT.
Electric Bill Change
+$20-$50/mo
Fuel Bill Change
-$50-$120/mo (oil/gas)
Net Effect
$30-$70/mo net savings
Mild temperatures mean the heat pump runs at peak efficiency (COP 3.5-4.5). Minimal heating fuel needed — biggest efficiency advantage.
Electric Bill Change
$0 change (or slight savings)
Fuel Bill Change
No heating fuel in summer
Net Effect
$0-$15/mo savings vs old AC
Heat pumps in cooling mode are as efficient or more efficient than a standard central AC. No extra electricity cost — you may even save slightly.
Smart strategies that CT homeowners use to keep heat pump electricity costs as low as possible.
Air sealing and insulation reduce the heating load your heat pump handles. Energize CT offers Home Energy Solutions (HES) audits — often at no cost — that identify and fix draft issues. A well-insulated CT home can cut heat pump electricity use by 20-30%.
Set your heat pump to 68°F during the day and 62-64°F at night. Unlike furnaces, heat pumps work best with gradual temperature changes. Avoid cranking the thermostat up quickly — that triggers inefficient backup resistance heat.
Eversource CT has a TOU pilot in select areas. If available, pre-heat your home during off-peak hours (typically overnight) when electricity is cheaper. Even a 2-3 cent rate difference saves $150-$300/year for heat pump owners.
An oversized heat pump short-cycles and wastes energy. A properly sized cold-climate system runs longer at lower capacity — which is actually more efficient. Always get a Manual J load calculation from your HPIN-registered contractor.
Energize CT rebates reduce your net cost: Standard rebates of $250/ton (max $2,500) or Energy Optimization rebates of $1,000/ton (max $10,000) lower your upfront investment. Plus, Smart-E loans at 0.99% APR through CT Green Bank mean your monthly loan payment can be less than your monthly fuel savings — a net positive from day one.
A heat pump adds 3,000-6,000 kWh/year to your electric bill. Adding just 2-4 extra solar panels (about 900-1,800W) to a typical CT system offsets that entirely. With Connecticut net metering, summer solar credits bank toward winter heat pump usage — making your heating essentially free after the solar payback period.
Extra panels needed
2-4 panels
Extra solar cost
~$1,500-$3,000
Payback on extras
2-3 years
A typical Connecticut home using a heat pump for heating sees electric bills increase by $80-$150/month during winter (December-March). However, this replaces oil ($300-$450/month) or gas ($180-$280/month), resulting in net savings of $50-$300/month depending on your previous fuel.
Yes. At current CT oil prices ($3.50-$4.00/gallon) and electricity rates ($0.27-$0.28/kWh), a cold-climate heat pump costs roughly 40-60% less to operate than oil heat annually. A typical CT home saves $1,200-$2,400/year switching from oil to a heat pump.
It depends on gas pricing, but generally yes. At CT gas rates (~$1.50-$1.80/therm) and electric rates ($0.27-$0.28/kWh), heat pumps are 15-30% cheaper to operate. Savings are more modest than switching from oil — typically $400-$900/year.
Connecticut does not currently offer a dedicated discounted heat pump electric rate like Massachusetts does. Both Eversource CT ($0.27/kWh) and United Illuminating ($0.28/kWh) charge standard residential rates. However, Energize CT rebates ($250-$1,000/ton) and Smart-E loans at 0.99% APR help offset costs.
Absolutely. A 6-8 kW solar array in CT produces roughly 7,500-10,000 kWh/year, which can offset most or all of the extra electricity your heat pump uses (typically 3,000-6,000 kWh/year for heating). With net metering, winter credits from summer overproduction further reduce your bills.
Eversource CT has a time-of-use (TOU) pilot program, but it is not specifically designed for heat pumps. Off-peak rates (overnight) can benefit heat pump owners who pre-heat their homes during cheaper hours. Contact Eversource directly to check current TOU availability in your area.
Energize CT rebates, Smart-E loans, and utility incentives.
Read guideFull pricing breakdown for heat pump installation in Connecticut.
Read guideWhich system type fits your Connecticut home.
Read guideSide-by-side cost comparison for CT oil-heated homes.
Read guideCompare heat pump and natural gas operating costs.
Read guideGet a personalized estimate that accounts for your current fuel type, home size, and Eversource or UI rate. Free, no obligation.