Heating Efficiency Breakdown: Heat Pump vs Strip Heat Operating Costs 

By Jake — the HVAC guy who doesn’t just “believe” numbers; I measure them, log them, model them, and compare them against real utility bills. If you came here for a fluffy explanation of heat pump efficiency or a generic “heat pumps save money” sales pitch, you’re not getting it. If you came here for a data-driven, COP-based, cost-per-hour, seasonal model comparison between heat pumps and electric strip heat, window AC buckle up.

This is the breakdown engineers appreciate, accountants understand, and homeowners wish they had read before turning on EM HEAT and accidentally spending $300 extra in a single month.

This guide includes:

• How heat pumps actually produce heat

• How COP works and why it matters

• Electricity usage for strip heat

• Heating cost per hour (real numbers)

• Seasonal heating cost modeling

• ROI calculations for using heat pumps over strip heat

• When strip heat is necessary

• When heat pumps crush strip heat in efficiency
  

Let’s break down the physics, the math, and the real-world dollars — Data Jake style.

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1. Heat Pump Heating Basics (Why Efficiency Is Measured in COP)

A heat pump doesn’t create heat. It moves heat, using refrigerant to extract low-temperature heat energy from outdoor air and bring it inside. That’s why heat pumps are multipliers of energy instead of converters.

While resistance heat (strip heat) turns 1 kW of electricity into 1 kW of heat, a heat pump can turn 1 kW of electricity into 2–4 kW of heat, depending on outdoor temperature.

This multiplier is expressed as:

COP — Coefficient of Performance

COP = Heat Output (kW) ÷ Electrical Input (kW)

COP is the most important number in heating efficiency.

To verify COP and heat pump operating fundamentals, start here:
Energy.gov Heat Pump Systems – https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems

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2. COP Values for Heat Pumps (Real Numbers at Real Temperatures)

Heat pumps change efficiency with outdoor temperature. As air gets colder, available heat energy decreases, so the heat pump must work harder.

Here are field-verified typical COP values:

2.1 Heat Pump COP Chart by Outdoor Temperature

Jake’s COP Rule:

If COP > 2.0, the heat pump beats strip heat every single time.
If COP < 1.5, strip heat becomes competitive.

Modern cold-climate heat pumps maintain high COP at low temperatures thanks to variable-speed compressors and advanced refrigerants.

For standardized ratings, look at the AHRI directory:
AHRI Heat Pump Ratings Directory – https://www.ahridirectory.org

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3. Electricity Usage for Strip Heat (The Most Expensive Heat Source in a Home)

Electric resistance heat (strip heat) is brutally simple:

1 kW of electricity = 1 kW of heat

COP = 1.0
Always.
Forever.
No changes with temperature.

Strip heats are sized in kilowatts (kW):

• 5 kW

• 7.5 kW

• 10 kW

• 15 kW

3.1 Strip Heat Usage Facts

• Turns on automatically when the thermostat sees a large temperature drop

• Runs during heat pump defrost cycles

• Runs when outdoor temps are too low for heat pump capacity

• Runs in emergency heat mode

3.2 Cost Per Hour of Common Heat Strip Sizes

Assuming electricity cost: $0.15 per kWh

In comparison, a heat pump typically uses 1.5–3.5 kW/hr.

Meaning:

A heat pump costs 2–5× less to operate than strip heat.

If you want government references on electric heating consumption, see:
EIA Electricity Consumption Data – https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/

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4. Cost-Per-Hour Breakdown: Heat Pump vs Strip Heat

Let’s break down heating cost by hour, using typical COP values and energy pricing.

Assumed electricity rate: $0.15/kWh

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4.1 Heat Pump Hourly Cost

Heat Output Needed (example): 24,000 BTU/hr (2 tons of heating)
1 kW = 3,412 BTU
24,000 ÷ 3,412 = 7.03 kW of heat required

Energy usage depends on COP:

At COP 3.0

Electrical input = 7.03 / 3.0 = 2.34 kW
Cost per hour = 2.34 × $0.15 = $0.35/hr

At COP 2.0

Electrical input = 7.03 / 2.0 = 3.51 kW
Cost per hour = 3.51 × $0.15 = $0.53/hr

At COP 1.5

Electrical input = 7.03 / 1.5 = 4.69 kW
Cost per hour = 4.69 × $0.15 = $0.70/hr

Even at mediocre COP levels, the heat pump remains dramatically cheaper than strip heat.

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4.2 Strip Heat Hourly Cost

To produce the same 24,000 BTU/hr of heat:

• 7.03 kW of heat needed

• Strip heat COP = 1

• 7.03 kW electricity × $0.15 = $1.05/hr

If the installed heat strip is 10 kW, and many are:

• 10 kW × $0.15 = $1.50/hr

That is 2–4× more expensive than a heat pump.

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5. Seasonal Heating Cost Modeling (Data Jake’s Step-by-Step Approach)

Let’s model a typical home using:

• 90-day winter season

• 6 hours of heating per day

• Mix of temperatures across winter

5.1 Scenario: Heat Pump Only (COP varies)

Assume distribution of outdoor temps:

• 30% at COP 3.0

• 40% at COP 2.0

• 30% at COP 1.5

Heating load remains 24,000 BTU/hr.

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Cost at COP 3.0

2.34 kW × $0.15 × (0.30 × 6 × 90)
= 2.34 × 0.15 × 162
= $56.79

Cost at COP 2.0

3.51 kW × $0.15 × (0.40 × 6 × 90)
= 3.51 × 0.15 × 216
= $113.67

Cost at COP 1.5

4.69 kW × $0.15 × (0.30 × 6 × 90)
= 4.69 × 0.15 × 162
= $113.95

Total Seasonal Heat Pump Cost:

$284.41

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5.2 Seasonal Cost for Strip Heat

Using 7.03 kW needed for 24,000 BTU/hr:

7.03 kW × $0.15 × (6 × 90)
= 7.03 × 0.15 × 540
= $569.43

If using a 10 kW heat strip (common):

10 × 0.15 × 540
= $810.00

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6. Heat Pump vs Strip Heat: Annual Savings

Using heat pump: $284.41
Using strip heat: $569.43
Using 10 kW strip: $810.00

Annual Savings with Heat Pump vs Strip Heat:

• Vs 7.03 kW resistance: $285 saved/year

• Vs 10 kW typical strip: $525 saved/year

Savings increase dramatically in colder climates where strip heat runs harder and longer.

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7. ROI for Heat Pump Operation (Jake’s Payback Math)

Heat pumps already exist in most homes, so the ROI is typically calculated as:

Savings from running heat pump instead of strip heat

ROI depends on:

• Heat pump runtime

• Electric rates

• Strip heat size

• Climate zone

• Heat pump COP

Let’s use real data.

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7.1 ROI for Home Using 7.03 kW Strip Heat

Annual savings: $285
Cost to operate heat pump vs strip heat: dramatic difference.

If a homeowner installs:

• Smart thermostat with heat pump lockout (cost: ~$200)

• Outdoor sensor (if needed: $50–$80)

ROI = 1 year or less.

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7.2 ROI for Upgrading to High-Efficiency Heat Pump

Upgrade cost: $2,500–$5,000
Annual savings: $350–$600 depending on climate

ROI range: 4–8 years

Add utility rebates and the ROI can reach 2–5 years easily.

For rebates and federal incentives, see:
Energy Star Heating & Cooling Rebates – https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling

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7.3 ROI for Avoiding Emergency Heat Use

If a homeowner accidentally uses EM HEAT for an entire month:

• Heat pump cost (6 hrs/day): ~$50

• Strip heat cost (10 kW): ~$180

Difference: $130/month

A thermostat lockout, installed ONCE, prevents this forever.

ROI: Weeks.

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8. When Strip Heat Makes Sense (Jake’s Reality Check)

Strip heat is not “bad.”
It is expensive, but necessary in certain situations.

Strip Heat Makes Sense When:

1. Outdoor temps fall below heat pump operating range

2. Indoor temperature must rise quickly (large setback recovery)

3. Defrost cycles activate

4. Heat pump fails and EM HEAT becomes a temporary backup

5. The heat pump is undersized for the home

Jake’s Professional Note:

Strip heat is a tool, not a primary heat source. Use it intentionally, not automatically.

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9. When Heat Pumps Destroy Strip Heat in Efficiency

Heat pumps dominate in:

• Any temperature above 25–30°F

• Any scenario where continuous heating is needed

• Homes with good insulation

• Regions with moderate climates

• Homes using smart thermostats

Heat pumps are not just “more efficient” — they are multiple times more efficient.

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10. Real Customer Examples (Field Data from Jake’s Logs)

Here are real-world cases from my job logs — anonymized but accurate.

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10.1 Case Study: North Carolina Home

• 2.5-ton heat pump

• 10 kW backup heat

• 5 months of heating season

Heat pump usage: $238
Strip heat usage (defrost & brief assist): $42
Total: $280

Customer accidentally used EM HEAT for 3 days:
Heating cost those 3 days: $21

Strip heat burned as much money in 3 days as the heat pump did in two weeks.

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10.2 Case Study: Minnesota Home

Cold-climate heat pump
COP dips to 1.5–2.0 in winter
Strip heat runs about 15% of the time

Heat pump cost: $640
Strip heat portion: $210

If they had used strip heat only:
$1,430

Savings: $580 for the season

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10.3 Case Study: Florida Condo

Mild climate
COP stays above 2.5
Strip heat rarely runs

Annual cost: $130
Strip heat alternative would have been $390

Savings: $260/year
ROI for heat pump lockout: 3 months.

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11. Optimization Tips to Reduce Strip Heat Usage (Jake’s Pro-Level Advice)

11.1 Add Heat Pump Lockout Settings

Set strip heat lockout above 30–35°F.

11.2 Use Gradual Set Point Changes

Avoid jumping from 65°F to 72°F.

11.3 Improve Airflow

Low airflow reduces COP and forces strip heat activation.

11.4 Seal Duct Leaks

Losing 20% of heat to attics doubles the strip heat usage.

11.5 Clean Filters & Coils

Improved heat exchange = improved COP.

11.6 Use Smart Thermostats

Thermostats like Ecobee/Honeywell T9 reduce strip heat activation.

For energy-saving best practices, consult:
Energy.gov Home Heating Guide – https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/home-heating-systems

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12. Complete Efficiency Summary (Data Jake’s Final Charts)

12.1 Heat Pump vs Strip Heat Efficiency

12.2 Seasonal Heating Cost Comparison

12.3 ROI Summary

• Thermostat upgrade: 1-year ROI

• Heat pump upgrade: 4–8 year ROI

• Strip heat-only homes switching to heat pump: Fastest ROI

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Conclusion

Heat pumps are not just “more efficient” than strip heat — they are multiple times more efficient, and the savings add up fast. Strip heat is a backup tool, not a primary heat source, and using it incorrectly can cost hundreds of dollars per season.

If you want:

• Lower bills

• Higher comfort

• More stable temperatures

• Better long-term ROI

…the heat pump should always be your primary heating method.

Strip heat should remain what it was designed to be:

A temporary supplemental heater, not a winter-long furnace.

This has been Data Jake — delivering the numbers that actually matter, the math you can trust, and the truth that will save you real money every single heating season.

 

In the next blog, you will learn about Troubleshooting Guide: Fixing Common Amana 9k PTAC Heat Pump Problems