Regional cost guide
North Dakota mini-split cost guide
Much of North Dakota is climate zone 6A / 7. Electricity here runs 14.12 cents per kilowatt-hour, so a typical 12,000 BTU system costs about $421 a year to run. 4 rebate programs below can cut the installed price. Installed prices are mostly national — labor is the part that varies locally.
- Residential rate
- 14.12 c/kWh
- Rate source
- EIA, June 2026
Climate Profile
State-level range
Much of North Dakota is climate zone 6A / 7.
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
$421per 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
- 14.12 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 | $3,258 to $8,911 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 12k BTU/h | $1,000 to $2,400 | $1,820 to $5,665 | $3,625 to $9,993 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 18k BTU/h | $1,400 to $3,200 | $2,320 to $6,715 | $4,449 to $11,908 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 24k BTU/h | $1,800 to $4,200 | $2,870 to $8,015 | $5,323 to $14,073 | 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
McLean Electric Air-Source Heat-Pump Rebate
Applications open
The current 2026 cooperative page publishes the amount and links the application, invoice, and documentation route.
Covers mini-splits
The current page links the still-current application sheet, which expressly identifies Central or Mini-Split equipment; the stricter current-page efficiency applies.
$100 per ton, up to five tons.
- Equipment
- A qualifying air-source heat pump purchased by a McLean Electric member.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- At least 8.8 HSPF, 15 SEER, and 12.5 EER under the current page's published requirements.
- Install
- Submit an invoice and ENERGY STAR documentation before cooperative approval; maximum eligible system size is five tons.
UTILITY_REBATE
Nodak Electric Air-Source and Mini-Split Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
The current cooperative page and January/February 2026 member newsletter publish the amount and active rebate route.
Covers mini-splits
Nodak's current rebate page expressly publishes a Mini-split heat pump amount.
$150 per ton for an air-source heat pump or mini-split heat pump, subject to the $1,500 electric-heat rebate maximum.
- Equipment
- A qualifying air-source or mini-split heat pump installed by a Nodak member-owner.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Current page publishes no numeric heat-pump efficiency threshold; program approval applies.
- Install
- Submit the cooperative's rebate application and installation information. Air-source and mini-split heat pumps do not need to be on off-peak service to qualify; ground-source systems do. The shared electric-heat rebate maximum is $1,500.
UTILITY_REBATE
Otter Tail Power 2026 North Dakota Controlled-Rate Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
Otter Tail's current site supplies a 2026 North Dakota application and guide with claim submission instructions.
Covers mini-splits
The current North Dakota application expressly provides ducted and ductless heat-pump configurations, and the guide publishes a separate ductless amount.
Cold-climate ducted air-source $600/ton; ductless $400/ton; air-to-water $400/ton; residential geothermal $700/ton.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ducted or ductless cold-climate air-source, air-to-water, or geothermal heat pump installed where Otter Tail supplies electricity and served on its required controlled rate.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Air-source systems require at least 7.5 HSPF2. Air-to-water systems require COP 1.7 at A5W110. Geothermal ratings depend on loop and system type as shown in the 2026 guide and application.
- Install
- Enroll the qualifying system on Dual Fuel, Deferred Load, or Residential Demand Control; air-to-water requires Dual Fuel. Submit the 2026 form, dated receipt, model information, and AHRI or manufacturer efficiency proof by March 31 following the installation year. Obtain preapproval for an expected Energy Control rebate of $10,000 or more.
UTILITY_REBATE
Roughrider Electric 2025-2026 Air-Source Heat-Pump Rebate
Applications open
The current page continues the program through 2026 with submission instructions; awards are limited by the available budget.
Covers mini-splits
The current requirements sheet expressly publishes mini-split eligibility and ratings.
$100 per installed ton, capped at $400.
- Equipment
- A new air-source heat pump or replacement for a conventional heating system purchased and installed in the published program period.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Ducted equipment must meet ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria and at least 10 EER2. Mini-splits require at least 16 SEER2, 9 EER2, and 9.5 HSPF2. The current requirements sheet controls.
- Install
- Submit an AHRI Certificate of Product Ratings and installation/purchase receipt; one rebate per member, subject to the program budget.
Federal credit timing and state-program caveats are covered in the mini-split rebates and tax credits guide.
Code Notes
- Fargo requires a mechanical permit before HVAC work and rough-in and final inspections. The current-linked schedule effective 2025-01-01 lists $45 for residential central air/heat pump or a heat pump in a ducted system with existing backup, and $80 for a heat pump with backup heat through the initial 200,000 BTU, plus $20 per additional 200,000 BTU up to $160. The local authority must select the applicable item. This is a Fargo planning example, not a statewide North Dakota 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.
- City of Fargo Inspections Department: Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning and HVAC Permit FeesSourced Sep 2026
Covers permit fee note.
- Operating-cost calculator methodology
Example calculation assumptions.
- Installation-cost calculator methodology
National planning ranges for equipment and installation.