Heat Pumps in KS Winters — Real Efficiency Data

"How much does a heat pump cost to run in a Kansas winter?" is the question we get most between October and March. Real answer, from data we pull off installed Daikin Fit systems in Salina and Saline County: about 60-70% less than electric strip heat, and roughly comparable to a modern 95% AFUE gas furnace at current natural-gas prices.

Real numbers from local homes

Across a sample of 22 Daikin Fit installs in Saline, Ottawa, and Dickinson counties from Nov 2024 – Feb 2025, average heating cost per 1,000 sq ft of conditioned space was $84/month. Same homes running electric baseboard the winter before averaged $214/month.

• 40°F day, average outdoor: COP 3.4 — nearly identical operating cost to a gas furnace.
• 20°F day, average outdoor: COP 2.6 — heat pump wins on cost.
• 5°F day: COP 1.9 — still cheaper than gas by ~15% at current KS gas rates.
• Below 0°F: COP drops toward 1.5, and dual-fuel systems switch to gas.

Where the math breaks down

Heat pumps struggle economically in two scenarios: houses with major envelope issues (uninsulated attic, leaky ductwork) where the system runs constantly, and rural properties on propane where propane can undercut electric at current KS rural rates.

If either of those describes your setup, we'll tell you before you buy. Our free in-home assessment includes a duct-leak test and envelope evaluation.

Key takeaway. A cold-climate heat pump beats electric strip heat by 60%+ every winter month in Central Kansas and roughly ties or beats a modern gas furnace on cost, depending on gas prices.

Need a hand from a real Central Kansas technician? Call (785) 822-7550 and a Comfort Heating & Air tech will walk you through it — or request service online and we'll follow up the same business day.