How Much Does It Really Cost to Run a 7,400 BTU Heat Pump? Tony’s Honest Breakdown
People love the idea of a heat pump—cheap heat, efficient cooling, small footprint, quiet operation. But the question everyone really cares about is:
“How much does it cost me to actually RUN this thing?”
You can look at SEER2 numbers, BTU charts, or energy labels all day, but none of that tells you how much money comes out of your wallet each month.
So I’m giving you Tony’s honest, real-world cost breakdown for the Amana 7,400 BTU Through-the-Wall Heat Pump (PBH073J35CC).
Not lab numbers.
Not marketing numbers.
Not hypothetical “perfect conditions” numbers.
We’re talking:
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Real hourly cost
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Real monthly cost
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Real yearly cost
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Real climate impact
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Real settings that affect bills
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Real mistakes that make bills explode
And yes — heat pumps can save you money.
But only if you understand how they work and how to use them.
Let’s break down the true cost of running a 7,400 BTU heat pump.
First: How Much Power Does a 7,400 BTU Heat Pump Actually Use?
Let’s start with the basics.
A typical 7,400 BTU heat pump like the PBH073J35CC runs at roughly:
Cooling mode power draw:
600–850 watts
Heat pump heating mode power draw:
550–900 watts (depending on outdoor temps)
Electric resistance backup heat:
1,500–2,000 watts (VERY expensive)
So operating costs depend heavily on which mode is running.
Here’s a general energy usage reference:
[Wattage and Runtime Factors for Small HVAC Systems]
Average Cost Per kWh in the U.S. (2025 Estimates)
The national average is roughly:
$0.14 per kWh
But depending on your state, you could pay:
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9¢ (Idaho)
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12¢ (Texas)
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14¢ (National average)
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20–25¢ (Northeast)
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30–40¢ (California & Hawaii)
Your bill depends heavily on your state, but Tony will use the national average for baseline math.
Now Let’s Calculate the Hourly Cost (Cooling Mode)
Assume the Amana uses:
750 watts (0.75 kW) in cooling mode.
Hourly Cost = 0.75 kW × $0.14/kWh = $0.105/hour
Rounded: 10.5 cents per hour
This is cheaper than most people expect.
If you run it 6 hours/day:
6 hours × $0.105 = $0.63/day
One month of cooling:
$0.63 × 30 = $18.90/month
That’s nothing.
Heat pumps are incredibly cheap to cool with.
Hourly Cost (Heat Pump Mode — Mild Temperatures)
In heating mode (using the heat pump only), the unit draws around:
0.65–0.90 kW (average: 0.80 kW)
**Hourly Cost:
0.80 kW × $0.14 = $0.112/hour**
Rounded: 11 cents per hour
6 hours/day:
$0.11 × 6 = $0.66/day
Monthly cost:
$0.66 × 30 = $19.80/month
This is why heat pumps are money-savers compared to electric heat.
Here’s a heat pump energy use reference:
[Heat Pump Operating Cost Variables]
The Huge Warning: Electric Heat Costs 3–5 Times More
Electric resistance heat uses:
1.5–2.0 kW
Let’s use 1.7 kW as average.
**Hourly Cost:
1.7 kW × $0.14 = $0.238/hour**
Rounded: 24 cents per hour
Run that for 6 hours/day:
$0.24 × 6 = $1.44/day
Monthly:
$1.44 × 30 = $43.20/month
Now compare:
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Heat pump heating = ~$19/month
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Electric heating = ~$43/month
Electric heat costs MORE THAN DOUBLE.
In cold climates, it costs triple because it runs longer.
Here’s an energy comparison:
[Resistance Heat vs Heat Pump Cost Behavior]
Monthly Cost Estimate by Climate Zone (Tony’s Real Numbers)
Let’s look at real monthly costs based on where you live.
1. Hot-Humid Regions (Texas, Florida, Gulf Coast)
Cooling mode runs long hours.
Heat pump heating rarely used.
Cooling:
6–10 hours/day
= $18–$35/month
Heating:
Low, since winters are mild
= $5–$10/month
Total: $23–$45/month
These are some of the cheapest states to own a heat pump.
2. Hot-Dry Regions (Arizona, Nevada, Inland California)
Cooling loads are high, but dry air helps efficiency.
Cooling:
8–12 hours/day
= $25–$40/month
Heating:
Very low
= $5–$7/month
Total: $30–$47/month
Dry climates are very heat-pump friendly.
3. Mild Coastal Regions (PNW, Northern California, Mid-Atlantic Fall/Spring)
Balanced cooling and heating.
Cooling:
3–5 hours/day
= $10–$18/month
Heating (heat pump):
4–6 hours/day
= $12–$20/month
Total: $22–$38/month
4. Cold Climates (Minnesota, Michigan, New England)
Heat pump heating works part of the time.
Electric heat backup kicks on during very cold days.
Cooling:
2–3 hours/day in summer
= $6–$12/month
Heating:
Heat pump mode:
4–6 hours/day
= $12–$20/month
Electric heat backup:
2–3 hours/day
= $15–$25/month
Total: $27–$57/month
Cold climates pay more — but still less than full-electric heating systems.
Here’s a climate-runtime reference:
[Heating/Cooling Runtime by Climate Zone]
Why Heat Pump Heating Costs So Much Less (Tony’s Real Explanation)
Because heat pumps don’t create heat — they move it.
Every 1 kW of electricity used produces:
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3–4 kW worth of heat output
Electric heat produces exactly 1 kW of heat per 1 kW used.
That’s the entire reason heat pumps save money.
They multiply your energy.
Mistakes That Increase Operating Costs (Avoid These!)
These mistakes can double or triple your energy bill:
1. Running the unit on HIGH FAN all the time
High fan uses more power and cycles inefficiently.
Use Auto mode.
2. Dirty filters
Reduces airflow → higher power draw.
Clean monthly.
3. Dirty coils
Dirty coils increase runtime by 20–30%.
Clean every season.
Here’s a coil-efficiency reference:
[Impact of Coil Fouling on HVAC Energy Use]
4. Poor insulation in the room
The unit works harder and longer.
5. Leaving doors open
The AC tries to cool or heat your entire house.
6. Wrong BTU sizing
Too small → runs nonstop
Too big → short cycles like crazy
7. Using electric heat when you don’t need to
Heat pump should always be first choice above 30–35°F.
8. Blocked exterior grille
Restricted airflow = higher energy consumption.
Tips to Reduce Operating Costs (Tony’s Proven Tricks)
These simple steps can cut your bill by 20–40%:
✔ Use heat pump mode whenever temps are above 30–35°F
✔ Keep the filter clean
✔ Clean both coils at least twice a year
✔ Keep doors closed
✔ Add blackout curtains to reduce heat load
✔ Seal around the sleeve
✔ Never block the unit with furniture
✔ Use Auto mode, not High
✔ Keep the exterior grille clear
These are real savings techniques from decades of service work.
Here’s an airflow optimization reference:
[Small HVAC Runtime Efficiency Notes]
Tony’s Final Verdict: What Does It REALLY Cost to Run a 7,400 BTU Heat Pump?
Here’s the short answer:
Cooling: $15–$40/month
Heat Pump Heating: $15–$30/month
Electric Backup Heating: $30–$60/month
And the honest truth:
A 7,400 BTU heat pump is one of the cheapest HVAC systems you can operate — but ONLY if you prioritize the heat pump over electric heat.
Use the heat pump whenever possible.
Use electric heat only when it’s freezing.
Keep the unit clean.
Maintain airflow.
Seal the sleeve.
Keep the filter fresh.
Do that, and your Amana PBH073J35CC will be one of the most energy-efficient systems you’ll ever own.
In the next blog, let's know if this Amana unit can cool multiple rooms.
