Regional cost guide
Idaho mini-split cost guide
Much of Idaho is climate zone 5B / 6B. Electricity here runs 14.37 cents per kilowatt-hour, so a typical 12,000 BTU system costs about $428 a year to run. 5 rebate programs below can cut the installed price. Installed prices are mostly national — labor is the part that varies locally.
- Residential rate
- 14.37 c/kWh
- Rate source
- EIA, June 2026
Climate Profile
State-level range
Much of Idaho is climate zone 5B / 6B.
These are statewide figures. Climate and electricity rates vary a lot inside a state, so check your own ZIP code before sizing a system around them.
Operating-Cost Example
Operating-cost example
$428per year
Example: 12k BTU/h system at 20 SEER2 / 10 HSPF2 using default annual operating hours.
Cooling
$23 monthly / 1,955.4 kWh yearly
Heating
$12 monthly / 1,024.8 kWh yearly
- Capacity
- 12,000 BTU/h
- Efficiency
- SEER2 20 / HSPF2 10
- Rate
- 14.37 c/kWh
Typical Sizes And Installed Cost
Equipment, materials, electrical work and permits are priced the same everywhere. Only the labor line is adjusted to this state, which is why these ranges sit close to the national ones.
| Size | Equipment | DIY installed | Pro installed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9k BTU/h | $900 to $1,900 | $1,670 to $5,015 | $3,041 to $8,345 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 12k BTU/h | $1,000 to $2,400 | $1,820 to $5,665 | $3,377 to $9,365 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 18k BTU/h | $1,400 to $3,200 | $2,320 to $6,715 | $4,154 to $11,156 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 24k BTU/h | $1,800 to $4,200 | $2,870 to $8,015 | $4,982 to $13,197 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
Matched Cold-Climate Systems
LG
LG ARTCOOL Deluxe R-32 9,000 BTU (230V)
Cooling
Heating
Low ambient
Efficiency
LG
LG ARTCOOL Deluxe R-32 12,000 BTU (230V)
Cooling
Heating
Low ambient
Efficiency
GE Appliances
GE Appliances Endure 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS09WP2BEA / 1G09ED2BEA)
Cooling
Heating
Low ambient
Efficiency
Haier
Haier Arctic Series Premium Highwall 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (QS09WP2BEA / 1Q09RT2BEA)
Cooling
Heating
Low ambient
Efficiency
GE Appliances
GE Appliances Endure 12,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS12WP2BEA / 1G12ED2BEA)
Cooling
Heating
Low ambient
Efficiency
Haier
Haier Arctic Series Premium Highwall 12,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (QS12WP2BEA / 1Q12RT2BEA)
Cooling
Heating
Low ambient
Efficiency
Incentives
UTILITY_REBATE
Clearwater Power Air-Source and Ductless Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
The current cooperative page publishes amounts and an active member application; amounts are subject to change without notice.
Covers mini-splits
Clearwater Power expressly publishes a Ductless / Minisplit category.
Air-source conversion $1,250 plus $310 for a variable-speed compressor; ductless or mini-split $920.
- Equipment
- Qualifying air-source conversion or ductless mini-split heat pump for a Clearwater Power customer/member.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Applicability and payment depend on the existing permanently installed electric heating system and BPA Energy Efficiency program requirements; the current public page does not publish an additional numeric efficiency threshold.
- Install
- Submit the member heat-pump application within 90 days of purchase. Pre- and post-inspection or photos may be required depending on the project.
UTILITY_REBATE
Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative Home Improvement Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
The current page says more than $300,000 was set aside for rebates this year and provides application forms.
Covers mini-splits
Fall River expressly publishes a Ductless Heat Pump Rebate.
Up to $650 for a ductless heat pump or up to $1,100 for an eligible ducted air-source conversion.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ductless heat pump in an existing single-family or manufactured home with primary electric heat, or a ducted air-source heat pump replacing electric forced-air heat, in Fall River service territory.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Equipment must meet the cooperative's measure requirements. The ductless installation must follow manufacturer specifications and the Northwest DHP Project Best Practices Guide.
- Install
- Use a licensed contractor, meet the pre-existing heat rules, and submit the current application and required documentation. The ductless measure is limited to one heat-pump rebate per home; members are directed to contact Fall River for details.
UTILITY_REBATE
Idaho County Light & Power Air-Source and Ductless Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
The current cooperative page publishes amounts and live online or PDF application routes.
Covers mini-splits
Idaho County Light & Power expressly publishes a Ductless Heat Pump measure.
Ductless heat pump $920. Air-source heat pump $1,250 conversion, $1,560 variable-speed conversion, or $600 upgrade.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ductless or air-source heat pump installed in an eligible existing single-family or manufactured home served by Idaho County Light & Power.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Ductless equipment must document at least 7.5 HSPF2. Air-source conversion and upgrade measures require at least 7.5 HSPF2 and 14.3 SEER2 and AHRI certification; variable-speed measures require manufacturer proof of variable-speed or inverter-driven technology.
- Install
- Meet the applicable existing-heating-system rules and submit the contractor/equipment invoice, cost and installation date, and AHRI certificate. A ductless heat pump must use a dedicated electrical circuit.
UTILITY_REBATE
Idaho Power Heating and Cooling Efficiency Program Heat-Pump Incentives
Applications open
Current Idaho Power pages provide the amounts, forms, and participating-contractor route; incentives are first come, first served.
Covers mini-splits
Idaho Power expressly publishes a Ductless Heat Pump - Existing Homes measure.
$400 for a qualifying ductless heat pump or $800 for a qualifying ducted air-source heat pump.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ductless or ducted air-source heat pump installed at an eligible existing residential property served by Idaho Power.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Ductless heat pump: at least 7.6 HSPF2 and replaces primary zonal electric heat in the living or great room. Ducted air-source heat pump: at least 7.2 HSPF2 and replaces eligible electric forced-air, zonal electric, propane, or oil heat under the published rules.
- Install
- Use a participating contractor, including for brands marketed for DIY installation. Submit required forms, invoice, and applicable AHRI and load worksheet within 90 days. Existing single-family, manufactured, duplex, triplex, and fourplex properties may qualify.
UTILITY_REBATE
Rocky Mountain Power Idaho wattsmart Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
Current Idaho wattsmart pages publish amounts, qualifications, and the live application portal.
Covers mini-splits
Rocky Mountain Power expressly identifies Ductless Heat Pump (Mini Split).
Ductless: $1,000 single-head, $1,500 multi-head, or $600 supplemental. Air-source: $450 cold-climate upgrade or $650 electric-resistance conversion.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ductless mini-split or air-source heat pump installed at an existing single-family Idaho home served by Rocky Mountain Power on rate schedule 1 or 36.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Single-head, multi-head, or supplemental ductless equipment must be at least 8.1 HSPF2 and 16 SEER2. A cold-climate air-source upgrade must be at least 8.5 HSPF2 and 16 SEER2; resistance conversion must be at least 7.5 HSPF2 and 14.3 SEER2.
- Install
- Install new equipment through a program-participating contractor and submit the required documents through the online portal within 90 days. Manufactured homes and new construction do not qualify under these existing-home measures.
Federal credit timing and state-program caveats are covered in the mini-split rebates and tax credits guide.
Code Notes
- Boise's mechanical fee schedule charges a $32 base permit fee plus $12 per applicable residential appliance or fixture for alterations, repairs, and replacements; its examples expressly include furnaces, air conditioners, and mini-split systems. Work limited to installation or relocation of one fixture or appliance at a single-family dwelling or duplex uses a $55 fee. The permitting authority must decide which fee and additional electrical or other permits apply. This is a Boise planning data point, not a statewide Idaho fee.
Sources
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy: Climate Zone Change Summary - PNNL-33270Sourced Sep 2026
Covers climate zone.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A, June 2026 residential electricity ratesSourced Sep 2026
Covers electricity rate cents per kwh.
Covers labor cost multiplier.
Covers permit fee note.
- Operating-cost calculator methodology
Example calculation assumptions.
- Installation-cost calculator methodology
National planning ranges for equipment and installation.