Regional cost guide
South Carolina mini-split cost guide
Much of South Carolina is climate zone 3A. Electricity here runs 15.55 cents per kilowatt-hour, so a typical 12,000 BTU system costs about $463 a year to run. 7 rebate programs below can cut the installed price. Installed prices are mostly national — labor is the part that varies locally.
- Residential rate
- 15.55 c/kWh
- Rate source
- EIA, June 2026
Climate Profile
State-level range
Much of South Carolina is climate zone 3A.
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
$463per year
Example: 12k BTU/h system at 20 SEER2 / 10 HSPF2 using default annual operating hours.
Cooling
$25 monthly / 1,955.4 kWh yearly
Heating
$13 monthly / 1,024.8 kWh yearly
- Capacity
- 12,000 BTU/h
- Efficiency
- SEER2 20 / HSPF2 10
- Rate
- 15.55 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 | $2,966 to $8,148 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 12k BTU/h | $1,000 to $2,400 | $1,820 to $5,665 | $3,290 to $9,147 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 18k BTU/h | $1,400 to $3,200 | $2,320 to $6,715 | $4,052 to $10,894 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 24k BTU/h | $1,800 to $4,200 | $2,870 to $8,015 | $4,863 to $12,892 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
Incentives
UTILITY_REBATE
Berkeley Electric Cooperative Dual-Fuel Heat Pump Rebate
Applications open
The current cooperative page publishes both rebate amounts and links a 2026 residential application and qualification standards.
Does not cover mini-splits
The current standards require a matched indoor coil and new air handler/gas furnace and do not publish a ductless or mini-split path.
$1,000 for conversion from gas to a qualifying dual-fuel heat pump, or $500 for conversion from a heat pump to a qualifying dual-fuel heat pump; one rebate per home.
- Equipment
- One qualifying dual-fuel heat-pump system per Berkeley Electric residential member home. Existing all-gas replacements, heat-pump conversions to dual fuel, and newly constructed homes are eligible under the current standards.
- Income
- No income restriction is published.
- Efficiency
- The system must include a new heat-pump outdoor unit matched with a new indoor coil and new air handler/gas furnace, be sized with an ACCA Manual J calculation, be properly matched, and be AHRI rated.
- Install
- A South Carolina-licensed mechanical contractor must install the system in compliance with state and local codes. Controls must stop compressor operation below 32 degrees F and switch automatically to supplemental gas heat; resistance backup is not allowed. The member must submit the completed application, invoice, and AHRI or catalog data, and allow inspection. Equipment must have been installed within one year of the application date.
UTILITY_REBATE
Dominion Energy South Carolina Heat Pump Rebates
Applications open
Dominion's current South Carolina page links live February 2026 applications and submission instructions for both paths.
Mini-split coverage unclear
The current forms say split or packaged heat pump but do not say ductless or mini-split.
Same-type heat-pump replacement: $400 at 15.2 SEER2 and 7.2 HSPF2, or $500 at 16 SEER2 and 7.2 HSPF2. Replacement of an all-electric furnace or heat-strip system: $650 for a qualifying heat pump.
- Equipment
- A qualifying split or packaged heat pump replacing the same equipment type, or a qualifying split or packaged heat pump replacing an all-electric furnace or resistance heat-strip system. The two paths are mutually exclusive and are consolidated here.
- Income
- No income restriction is published for these residential rebates.
- Efficiency
- Same-type replacement requires at least 15.2 SEER2 and 7.2 HSPF2 for the $400 tier or at least 16 SEER2 and 7.2 HSPF2 for the $500 tier. Electric-furnace conversion requires at least 15.2 SEER2 and 7.2 HSPF2.
- Install
- The complete AHRI-rated system must be installed by a licensed mechanical contractor for an eligible account. The invoice and application must be submitted within 90 days; a property owner who is not the account holder must also provide the required tax form.
UTILITY_REBATE
Duke Energy Smart $aver HVAC Rebates
Applications open
Both South Carolina jurisdiction variants show current incentive tables, participating-contractor lookup, and submission instructions.
Covers mini-splits
The current South Carolina utility tables expressly list non-ducted mini-split and mini/multi-split configurations.
Standard air-source heat-pump replacement: $350 at 15.2 SEER2, $450 at 16 SEER2, or $700 at 17 SEER2 or higher, each with at least 7.5 HSPF2. Early replacement: $700, $800, or $900 at those tiers. A qualifying ducted or non-ducted mini/multi-split is $700 for replacement or $900 for early replacement at least 18 SEER2 and 9 HSPF2. Published conversion tiers range from $500 to $2,500, including non-ducted mini-split rows.
- Equipment
- Qualifying replacement, early-replacement, or fuel-conversion air-source heat-pump systems, including the program's expressly listed ducted and non-ducted mini-split configurations. Mini-split projects must condition at least 1,000 square feet.
- Income
- No income restriction is published for the standard residential offer.
- Efficiency
- Replacement air-source heat-pump tiers begin at 15.2 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. The dedicated mini/multi-split replacement and early- replacement tier requires at least 18 SEER2 and 9 HSPF2. Fuel- conversion mini-split tiers vary by configuration and capacity as listed in the current South Carolina table.
- Install
- A participating contractor must install and submit the qualifying AHRI-matched complete system, including the required ECM indoor equipment. The early-replacement and conversion rules must be met; Duke states that processing normally takes four to six weeks.
UTILITY_REBATE
Laurens Electric Cooperative Home Rewards HVAC Rebates
Applications open
The current cooperative program page provides a rebate application and says members have 30 days after completed work to submit it.
Does not cover mini-splits
The current Home Rewards application expressly says mini-split systems are not included in the rebate program.
$300 for a qualifying high-efficiency HVAC upgrade or $1,000 for a qualifying dual-fuel heat pump. The current material limits the dual-fuel incentive to one system per home.
- Equipment
- A qualifying high-efficiency heat pump or a qualifying dual-fuel heat-pump system installed for a Laurens Electric residential member who owns the eligible residence. The current application limits the offer to single-family homes and excludes mini-split systems.
- Income
- No income restriction is published.
- Efficiency
- A standard heat pump must be at least 17 SEER2 and 8.2 HSPF2 and include an ECM fan on the indoor unit. The dual-fuel system combines an electric heat pump with a gas furnace under the program rules.
- Install
- A South Carolina-licensed mechanical contractor must install the new HVAC system. The completed application, paid invoice, product-rating certificate, and supporting documents must be submitted within 30 days after completion; the cooperative may inspect the work.
UTILITY_REBATE
Palmetto Electric Cooperative Dual Fuel Heat Pump Rebate
Applications open
The current cooperative page publishes the $700 amount, an Apply Now form, and current standards.
Does not cover mini-splits
The published standards require a new gas furnace and matched indoor equipment; they do not offer a standalone ductless or mini-split path.
$700 per qualifying dual-fuel heat-pump system, limited to one system per home.
- Equipment
- One qualifying dual-fuel heat-pump system per existing or new residential member home, pairing new outdoor and indoor heat-pump equipment with a new gas furnace under the cooperative's standards.
- Income
- No income restriction is published.
- Efficiency
- The complete matched system must meet the cooperative's current Dual Fuel Heat Pump Standards and AHRI requirements; Manual J sizing and automatic fuel-changeover controls are required.
- Install
- Installation must use an approved contractor with a South Carolina mechanical license. The outdoor sensor must stop compressor operation below 35 degrees F and switch automatically to gas heat; resistance backup is not allowed. Application, invoice, equipment data, and inspection requirements apply, and equipment must be no more than one year old.
UTILITY_REBATE
Santee Cooper EmpowerHome Heat Pump Rebates
Applications open
The current EmpowerHome page provides live electronic and mail application routes and a Trade Ally lookup.
Covers mini-splits
The current incentive table expressly names mini/multi-split heat pumps.
Mini/multi-split: $40 per half-ton at tier 1 or $80 per half-ton at tier 2. The current table also publishes fixed central heat-pump rebates beginning at $300, depending on system type and efficiency.
- Equipment
- Qualifying new central heat pumps and mini/multi-split heat pumps installed for an eligible single-family or multifamily residential Santee Cooper customer.
- Income
- No income restriction is published for the standard rebate.
- Efficiency
- Mini/multi-split tier 1 requires at least 15.3 SEER2 and 7.8 HSPF2; tier 2 requires at least 18.4 SEER2 and 8.7 HSPF2. Central-system requirements vary by split or packaged equipment and published tier.
- Install
- A Santee Cooper Trade Ally must install the equipment. The customer submits the current electronic or mail application and supporting documents; the program states that payment normally arrives in six to eight weeks.
UTILITY_REBATE
York Electric Cooperative Dual-Fuel Heat Pump Rebate
Applications open
York Electric's current 2026 rate-and-program page continues to link the dual-fuel heat-pump rebate; the linked FAQ publishes the amounts and approval path.
Does not cover mini-splits
The cooperative describes a dual-fuel system pairing a heat pump with a gas furnace and does not publish a ductless or mini-split option.
$700 for the first qualifying system and $200 for each additional qualifying system.
- Equipment
- A qualifying dual-fuel heat-pump system installed for a residential York Electric member who owns the property, subject to cooperative approval.
- Income
- No income restriction is published.
- Efficiency
- The equipment must satisfy York Electric's dual-fuel heat-pump requirements and approval process.
- Install
- The member must own the property and obtain the cooperative's approval for the qualifying installation.
Federal credit timing and state-program caveats are covered in the mini-split rebates and tax credits guide.
Code Notes
- The City of Charleston's current mechanical permit application requires mechanical work details and inspection selections. The city's current-linked trade schedule charges a $40 application fee plus $10 for the first $1,000 of mechanical construction cost and $2 for each additional $1,000 or fraction. Other trades and services can add charges. This is a City of Charleston planning example, not a statewide fee; the local authority must confirm permits and the current project total.
Sources
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.