# Heat pump vs. electric furnace and AC on Kentucky Utilities rates (VA)

> **Quick answer** (updated 2026-11-10): As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft electrically heated home on Kentucky Utilities electricity rates in Virginia that needs a new furnace and AC: A heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $16,000 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $1,140 a year less to run.

- Verdict: **heat pump ahead at any quote**
- Heat pump yearly running cost vs. a new electric furnace and AC: $1,140 less
- Break-even quote gap: the heat pump wins over 15 years if its quote is no more than $17,000 above the like-for-like quote
- Interactive calculator (change size, insulation, fuel, prices, ZIP): https://meterwise.app/va/kentucky-utilities/heat-pump-vs-furnace/
- Machine-readable data: https://meterwise.app/data/v1/utilities/va/kentucky-utilities.json

## Typical home: costs by option

1,800 sq ft, average insulation, heating with electricity, furnace and AC both need replacing.

| Option | Installed (typical) | Installed range | Rebates | Energy per year | 15-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New electric furnace + new AC | $10,400 | $7,520–$13,460 | – | $1,770 | $36,900 |
| Heat pump (replaces both) | $11,390 | $7,920–$14,850 | – | $630 | $20,800 |
| High-efficiency cold-climate heat pump | $14,850 | $10,890–$19,800 | – | $500 | $22,400 |

## Inputs

- Electricity: Kentucky Utilities's average residential price in VA (EIA), $0.143/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.123/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer. Typical-bill price 14.3¢/kWh, -14% vs. the Virginia average of 16.7¢/kWh.
- Weather: Big Stone Gap, 4,663 heating and 863 cooling degree days a year (NOAA 1991-2020 normals).
- Gas: $1.62/therm (Virginia winter average, EIA); propane $3.75/gallon; heating oil $6.00/gallon.
- Homes in this utility's Virginia area heat with electricity 86%, other 6%, propane 5%, heating oil 3%, gas 1% (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023).
- Installed prices: published study ranges, scaled for home size and Virginia HVAC installer wages (BLS).
- Rebates: none found for this utility right now.

## Common questions

**Is a heat pump worth it for Kentucky Utilities customers?**
As of November 2026, for a typical 1,800 sq ft electrically heated home on Kentucky Utilities electricity rates in Virginia that needs a new furnace and AC: A heat pump comes out ahead here even with a high quote: about $16,000 less than a new furnace and AC over 15 years at typical prices, and $1,140 a year less to run.

**How much does a heat pump cost to run on Kentucky Utilities's rates?**
About $630 a year for heating and cooling with the Heat pump (replaces both) option, against $1,770 for New electric furnace + new AC.

**What electricity price does this use?**
Electricity: Kentucky Utilities's average residential price in VA (EIA), $0.143/kWh; the winter price of extra kWh is estimated at $0.123/kWh. Enter your own rate for a closer answer.

## Method

Heating and cooling need from local weather, floor area and insulation; each option's efficiency (heat pumps lose
efficiency in the cold and use backup heat in cold months) turns that into kWh and fuel; electricity is priced
through the utility's tariff; installed costs come from published ranges. Full method: https://meterwise.app/about/index.md

Estimates for a typical home, not a quote or financial advice.

## Other Virginia utilities

- [A & N Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/a-and-n-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Appalachian Power](https://meterwise.app/va/appalachian-power/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Central Virginia Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/central-virginia-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative](https://meterwise.app/va/mecklenburg-electric-cooperative/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Northern Virginia Elec Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/northern-virginia-elec-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Northern Neck Elec Coop, Inc](https://meterwise.app/va/northern-neck-elec-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Powell Valley Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/powell-valley-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Prince George Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/prince-george-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Shenandoah Valley Elec Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/shenandoah-valley-elec-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Dominion Energy Virginia](https://meterwise.app/va/dominion-energy-virginia/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Southside Electric Coop, Inc](https://meterwise.app/va/southside-electric-coop-inc/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [Rappahannock Electric Coop](https://meterwise.app/va/rappahannock-electric-coop/heat-pump-vs-furnace/index.md)
- [All Virginia utilities](https://meterwise.app/va/index.md)

## Cite this page

MeterWise, "Heat pump vs. electric furnace and AC on Kentucky Utilities rates (VA)", updated 2026-11-10, https://meterwise.app/va/kentucky-utilities/heat-pump-vs-furnace/. Data licensed CC BY 4.0.