Regional cost guide
Rhode Island mini-split cost guide
Much of Rhode Island is climate zone 5A. Electricity here runs 29.23 cents per kilowatt-hour, so a typical 12,000 BTU system costs about $871 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
- 29.23 c/kWh
- Rate source
- EIA, June 2026
Climate Profile
State-level range
Much of Rhode Island is climate zone 5A.
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
$871per year
Example: 12k BTU/h system at 20 SEER2 / 10 HSPF2 using default annual operating hours.
Cooling
$48 monthly / 1,955.4 kWh yearly
Heating
$25 monthly / 1,024.8 kWh yearly
- Capacity
- 12,000 BTU/h
- Efficiency
- SEER2 20 / HSPF2 10
- Rate
- 29.23 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 | $3,253 to $8,896 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 12k BTU/h | $1,000 to $2,400 | $1,820 to $5,665 | $3,618 to $9,977 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 18k BTU/h | $1,400 to $3,200 | $2,320 to $6,715 | $4,441 to $11,888 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 24k BTU/h | $1,800 to $4,200 | $2,870 to $8,015 | $5,314 to $14,050 | 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
STATE_REBATE
Clean Heat Rhode Island Low-to-Moderate-Income Heat-Pump Incentive
Applications open
Current Part 1 preapproval instructions are live, and the program's 2026-09-08 funds page says $1,474,999 was added to the LMI program on 2026-09-01.
Covers mini-splits
The current incentive page expressly says the system may be installed in phases as ductless minisplits room by room.
Income-qualified program
Household income must be below 150% of State Median Income. Published limits for households of 1 through 8 are $124,950, $142,800, $160,650, $178,500, $192,780, $207,060, $221,340, and $235,620. Eligibility is verified through SNAP, LIHEAP, the Rhode Island Energy discount rate, or iVerify.
60% of eligible heat-pump system and installation cost, capped at $11,500 per address for space heating.
- Equipment
- Qualifying air-source, air-to-water, or ground-source heat pump in an individually metered and heated Rhode Island residence that displaces oil, propane, or natural-gas primary heat in the zones served.
- Efficiency
- Air-source systems must meet ENERGY STAR 6.1 Cold Climate criteria and appear on the Rhode Island NEEP list. Equipment using R-410A refrigerant is ineligible beginning 2026.
- Install
- Use a residential electric rate and a Heat Pump Installer Network installer. The home must be built on/after 2000, have completed all weatherization recommendations, or have a current assessment with less than $1,000 of recommended work. Obtain Part 1 preapproval before installation and complete Part 2 afterward. Installation must be on or after 2025-07-21; homes built in 2024-2026 and additions are ineligible.
UTILITY_REBATE
Clear River Electric & Water District Air-Source Heat-Pump Rebate
Applications open
The current forms page, modified 2026-02-02, provides live online and 2026/02 PDF claim routes; the current Clean Heat RI page independently lists the $350-$700 offer.
Covers mini-splits
The current-linked application expressly lists a Non-Ducted air-source heat-pump row.
$350 per ton, capped at $700 for the program.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ducted, mixed, or non-ducted residential air-source heat pump for a Clear River electric customer.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- ENERGY STAR and AHRI matched equipment. Ducted/mixed systems require 8.1 HSPF2, 15.2 SEER2, 70% heating capacity ratio at 5 F, and 1.75 COP at 5 F; non-ducted systems require 8.5 HSPF2 and the same other thresholds.
- Install
- Submit the current online or PDF HVAC rebate form with the required customer, installation, equipment, contractor, and supporting purchase documentation; program approval and funding rules apply.
STATE_REBATE
New England Heat Pump Accelerator Rhode Island Pass-Through Incentive
Applications open
The current 2026 program materials direct contractors to participating distributors for an instant discount; Rhode Island is an eligible state.
Covers mini-splits
The current program flyer expressly publishes a Ductless air-source heat-pump row and its HSPF2 threshold.
Income-qualified program
None; all income levels are eligible.
$650 instant discount per qualifying air-source outdoor unit, limited to two per dwelling unit.
- Equipment
- Qualifying ducted or ductless cold-climate air-source heat pump under 5.4 tons installed in an existing Rhode Island single-family or multifamily residence; new construction does not qualify.
- Efficiency
- ENERGY STAR 6.1 Cold Climate equipment with 15.2 SEER2, 70% heating capacity ratio at 5 F, and 1.75 COP at 5 F. Ductless systems require 8.5 HSPF2; ducted systems require 8.1 HSPF2.
- Install
- The contractor must purchase a qualified product from a participating distributor, provide the residential installation and customer data, and pass the distributor's instant discount through on the customer invoice. Customers do not submit separate rebate paperwork. Limit two qualifying air-source outdoor units per dwelling unit.
UTILITY_REBATE
Rhode Island Energy 2026 Air-Source Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
The current page supplies live online and 2026 PDF application routes and marks the equipment requirements effective 2026-01-01.
Covers mini-splits
Rhode Island Energy expressly identifies mini-split heat pumps and describes them as ductless systems.
Standard rebate up to $625 per ton for eligible natural-gas, electric, oil, or propane customers switching to central or mini-split equipment; enhanced rebate $1,500 per ton for eligible electric baseboard customers.
- Equipment
- Qualifying central or mini-split air-source heat pump providing heating and cooling for a Rhode Island Energy residential customer, including enhanced conversion from electric baseboard heating.
- Income
- None published.
- Efficiency
- Effective 2026-01-01, equipment must meet ENERGY STAR 6.1 Cold Climate criteria and appear on the Rhode Island Energy/NEEP qualified list. Equipment using R-410A refrigerant is ineligible in 2026.
- Install
- Standard-rebate customers may use a participating contractor but are not required to do so. Enhanced electric-baseboard customers must begin with a no-cost EnergyWise home assessment, complete necessary weatherization, and use a participating contractor. Apply through the current online or PDF route and supply the required customer, equipment, installation, and invoice documentation.
Federal credit timing and state-program caveats are covered in the mini-split rebates and tax credits guide.
Code Notes
- Providence requires a mechanical permit for all work not listed in the portable-equipment and minor-part exemptions. An appropriately licensed Rhode Island contractor may take the permit; an owner of an owner-occupied single-family residence may do so when working without help. At minimum, rough inspection is required before work is covered and final inspection is required at completion. This is a Providence code example, not a statewide Rhode Island fee.
Sources
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy: Climate Zone Change Summary - PNNL-33270Sourced Sep 2026
Covers climate zone.
- City of Providence Department of Inspection and Standards: Mechanical Structures FAQsSourced Sep 2026
Covers code note.
- 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.
- Operating-cost calculator methodology
Example calculation assumptions.
- Installation-cost calculator methodology
National planning ranges for equipment and installation.