Regional cost guide
Washington mini-split cost guide
Much of Washington is climate zone 4C (west) / 5 (east). Electricity here runs 14.95 cents per kilowatt-hour, so a typical 12,000 BTU system costs about $446 a year to run. 3 rebate programs below can cut the installed price. Installed prices are mostly national — labor is the part that varies locally.
- Residential rate
- 14.95 c/kWh
- Rate source
- EIA, May 2026
Climate Profile
State-level range
Much of Washington is climate zone 4C (west) / 5 (east).
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
$446per year
Example: 12k BTU/h system at 20 SEER2 / 10 HSPF2 using default annual operating hours.
Cooling
$24 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
- 14.95 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 | $3,449 to $9,407 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 12k BTU/h | $1,000 to $2,400 | $1,820 to $5,665 | $3,842 to $10,544 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 18k BTU/h | $1,400 to $3,200 | $2,320 to $6,715 | $4,707 to $12,567 | National ranges, with labor adjusted to this state |
| 24k BTU/h | $1,800 to $4,200 | $2,870 to $8,015 | $5,622 to $14,841 | 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
Seattle City Light Heat Pump Instant Contractor Discounts
Applications open
Seattle City Light publishes current heat pump instant contractor discount tiers with no closure stated.
Mini-split coverage unclear
Packet text says qualifying air-source heat pumps under 5.4 tons, but does not name ductless or mini-splits.
$300 instant discount for HSPF2 8.1 or higher; $400 instant discount for HSPF2 8.5 or higher; $600 instant discount for HSPF2 9.5 or higher with SEER2 16.0.
- Equipment
- Qualifying air-source heat pumps under 5.4 tons for Seattle City Light residential customers.
- Income
- Available to eligible Seattle City Light residential customers; no income restriction published for the heat pump instant contractor discount.
- Efficiency
- Size under 5.4 tons; SEER2 15.2 with HSPF2 8.1 or 8.5 tiers, or SEER2 16.0 with HSPF2 9.5 tier.
- Install
- Contractor instant discounts are available only through participating distributors; do-it-yourself installations are not eligible for a heat pump rebate.
MUNICIPAL_REBATE
Seattle Clean Heat Oil-to-Heat-Pump Rebates
Applications open
Program source lists Clean Heat rebates available through September 30, 2026.
Mini-split coverage unclear
Packet text says qualified Mitsubishi electric heat pump systems, but does not name ductless or mini-splits.
Income tiers affect amount
Base rebate is available for oil-heated Seattle households; the $4,000 bonus applies to moderate-income households earning 81-150% of area median income; lower-income households may be eligible for free conversion through the Office of Housing.
$2,000 instant rebate for oil-to-electric heat pump conversion; $4,000 bonus rebate for eligible moderate-income households, for up to $6,000 combined.
- Equipment
- Qualified Mitsubishi electric heat pump systems replacing oil heat in Seattle households.
- Efficiency
- Qualified Mitsubishi electric heat pump installed through participating contractors.
- Install
- Homeowner must contact participating contractors, complete the homeowner participation form, install the qualified heat pump, and decommission the oil tank per Seattle Fire Department requirements.
STATE_REBATE
Washington State HEAR Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates - United Hub
Applications open
The United Hub source describes applicants receiving rebate codes for qualified installations and does not state an intake pause.
Mini-split coverage unclear
Packet text says heat pumps including air-source and ground-source equipment, but does not name ductless or mini-splits.
Income-qualified program
Program 1 is limited to homeowners in Clark, King, Pierce, Thurston, and Yakima counties with household income below 150% of area median income; Program 2 is limited to the same counties with household income below 80% of area median income.
Program 1 funds 50% of qualified equipment purchase and installation costs; Program 2 funds 100% of qualified equipment purchase and installation costs.
- Equipment
- Heat pumps for heating and cooling, including air-source and ground-source equipment, for eligible Washington households.
- Efficiency
- Air-source heat pumps must be on the NEEP cold-climate ASHP list or meet the latest ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria; all equipment must be ENERGY STAR certified or AHRI CEE North Region certified.
- Install
- Applicants receive a rebate code that must be applied to qualified equipment installation within 90 days; new equipment only; the current fossil-fuel heat source must be disconnected.
Federal credit timing and state-program caveats are covered in the mini-split rebates and tax credits guide.
Code Notes
- Washington chapter 51-52 WAC adopts the International Mechanical Code statewide; WAC 51-52-008 says the adopted mechanical code became effective in all Washington counties and cities on March 15, 2024.
- Washington permit fees are set by the local authority having jurisdiction; Seattle's mechanical permit page says a mechanical permit enables installation of HVAC equipment, and Seattle's permit-cost page says cost depends on project size, complexity, work value, additional permits, review time, inspection fees, and technology fees.
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.
- Washington State Legislature: WAC 51-52-008 ImplementationSourced Aug 2026
Covers code note.
- 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 fee note.
- Operating-cost calculator methodology
Example calculation assumptions.
- Installation-cost calculator methodology
National planning ranges for equipment and installation.