Regional cost guide
Pennsylvania mini-split cost guide
Much of Pennsylvania is climate zone 4 (southeast) / 5-6. Electricity here runs 21.55 cents per kilowatt-hour, so a typical 12,000 BTU system costs about $642 a year to run. 2 rebate programs below can cut the installed price. Installed prices are mostly national — labor is the part that varies locally.
- Residential rate
- 21.55 c/kWh
- Rate source
- EIA, May 2026
Climate Profile
State-level range
Much of Pennsylvania is climate zone 4 (southeast) / 5-6.
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
$642per year
Example: 12k BTU/h system at 20 SEER2 / 10 HSPF2 using default annual operating hours.
Cooling
$35 monthly / 1,955.4 kWh yearly
Heating
$18 monthly / 1,024.8 kWh yearly
- Capacity
- 12,000 BTU/h
- Efficiency
- SEER2 20 / HSPF2 10
- Rate
- 21.55 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 | $3,148 to $8,622 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 12k BTU/h | $1,000 to $2,400 | $1,820 to $5,665 | $3,498 to $9,673 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 18k BTU/h | $1,400 to $3,200 | $2,320 to $6,715 | $4,299 to $11,525 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 24k BTU/h | $1,800 to $4,200 | $2,870 to $8,015 | $5,149 to $13,626 | 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
PECO Home Rebates Program - Heating and Cooling Rebates
Applications open
PECO publishes heating and cooling rebates with applications due within 90 days of purchase or installation and no closure stated.
Covers mini-splits
The PECO heating and cooling page explicitly lists ENERGY STAR Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump and gives $150 and $300 ductless mini-split rebate tiers.
Air-source heat pump rebates are $200 to $300. ENERGY STAR ductless mini-split heat pump rebates are $150 to $300. Air-source heat pump maintenance is listed at $50.
- Equipment
- ENERGY STAR air-source heat pumps and ENERGY STAR ductless mini-split heat pumps installed for residences receiving PECO residential electric service.
- Income
- No income restriction is published for these PECO heating and cooling rebates.
- Efficiency
- Air-source heat pumps require AHRI-certified whole-system ratings of 15.2 to 17.0 SEER2, 11.0 EER2, and 7.8+ HSPF2 for the $200 tier, or 17.1+ SEER2, 11.0 EER2, and 7.8+ HSPF2 for the $300 tier. Ductless mini-split heat pumps require the same listed SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2 tiers for $150 and $300 rebates.
- Install
- Product must be new, meet the listed efficiency requirements, and be installed in a residence currently receiving PECO residential electric service. Applications for equipment purchased or installed must be received within 90 days and include a paid receipt with model number, manufacturer, purchase price, and purchase date.
UTILITY_REBATE
PPL Electric Utilities Residential Heating and Cooling Rebates
Applications open
PPL publishes current residential heating and cooling rebates and application guidance with no closure stated.
Covers mini-splits
The PPL HVAC guide says mini-split heat pumps are sometimes called ductless heat pumps and publishes rebates up to $225 or $350 for a ductless mini-split heat pump.
Income tiers affect amount
Standard rebates and income-based enhanced rebates are published. The PPL pages say customers may qualify for enhanced rebates and no-cost assessments depending on income.
Air-source heat pump rebates are up to $325, or up to $475 with income-based enhanced rebates. Ductless mini-split heat pump rebates are up to $225, or up to $350 with income-based enhanced rebates.
- Equipment
- ENERGY STAR certified air-source heat pumps for homes with air ducts and ENERGY STAR certified mini-split heat pumps for homes without ducts, for eligible PPL Electric Utilities customers.
- Efficiency
- PPL directs customers to check rebate details for model eligibility and asks for the AHRI reference number for the complete HVAC system when applying for HVAC rebates.
- Install
- PPL directs customers to schedule the project with a qualified Trade Ally contractor, use the rebate portal or mail-in application, provide the PPL Electric Utilities account number for the installation address, and submit invoice or receipt details including purchase date, installation date if different, manufacturer, model, and price.
Federal credit timing and state-program caveats are covered in the mini-split rebates and tax credits guide.
Code Notes
- Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code is the statewide building code, but enforcement and permit administration are local in most places. PA L&I says more than 90% of municipalities administer and enforce the UCC locally using municipal employees or certified third-party agencies, so the local authority having jurisdiction decides permit scope for a heat-pump project.
- Pennsylvania mechanical permit fees are local, not statewide. Philadelphia provides a municipal data point where mechanical permit applications have a $100 filing fee credited toward the final permit fee, appliances submitted separately are $158 each or $69 each in one- or two-family dwellings, ductwork has a $189 minimum or flat one- or two-family fee, and city/state surcharges are $3 and $4.50 per permit. Actual permit scope and fee are decided by the local authority having jurisdiction.
Sources
- SplitAtlas: IECC predominant-zone-by-state mapping - editorial v1Sourced Jul 2026
Covers climate zone.
- SplitAtlas: IECC predominant-zone-by-state mapping - editorial v1Sourced Aug 2026
Covers climate zone.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A, June 2026 residential electricity ratesSourced Jul 2026
Covers electricity rate cents per kwh.
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A, June 2026 residential electricity ratesSourced Aug 2026
Covers electricity rate cents per kwh.
Covers labor cost multiplier.
Covers permit code note.
- City of Philadelphia: Get a Mechanical PermitSourced Aug 2026
Covers permit fee note.
- Operating-cost calculator methodology
Example calculation assumptions.
- Installation-cost calculator methodology
National planning ranges for equipment and installation.