Long Beach, CA Heat Pump Leasing & Installation
Benefits of Palmetto Heat Pumps
Say goodbye to clunky old systems and surprise repairs. Palmetto Comfort Plan gives you a brand-new heat pump, installation, and full support, all wrapped into one subscription.
Year Round Comfort
A high-efficiency heat pump keeps your home cool in summer, warm in winter, and your energy use in check all year long.
Forget the maintenance
With a Comfort Plan subscription, installation and maintenance are fully covered, no surprise bills, no weekend DIY.
Rewards for renewing
Stick with us and earn credits toward your next system upgrade. It’s our way of saying thanks for building a cleaner, comfier future with us.
Long Beach, CA Heat Pump Load Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your home’s heating and cooling needs based on square footage. It uses ACCA-standard design conditions for Long Beach, CA: 72°F indoor, 95°F outdoor for cooling, and 33°F for heating. For a precise Manual J load calculation and personalized quote, connect with Palmetto’s team. Get in touch with our team for an official quote.
Home location & size
Your home’s location and size directly impact heating needs.
- ZIP Code
- Number of residents
- Home Square Footage (sq ft)
- Home Ceiling Height (ft)
Home attributes
- Amount of sunlight: Low, Moderate, High
- Insulation: Poor Insulation, Standard Insulation, Good Insulation, Excellent Insulation
- Number of Windows
- Window and Door Seals: Poor fit & Seal, Typical fit & Seal, Good fit & Seal
Additional details
- Do you have a kitchen? Yes / No
- Do you have any glassed-in rooms? Yes / No
- Extra Device Wattage (W)
Estimated Heating Needs
Your home’s location falls within the a climate zone with the average extreme winter falling between 10° – 15° F.
Home Details
Recommended equipment capacity
- 60,000 BTU
- 5 Tons
Calculated Cooling Mode
- 102,000 BTU
- 8.5 Tons
Buy it or finance it. Your comfort, your call
There's no wrong way to get cozy. Here's how the options stack up, so you can choose what works best for you.
| Comfort Plan | Cash | Loan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment schedule | $0 upfront, then monthly subscription | Full price upfront | $0 upfront, then monthly payment |
| Term length | 10 or 12 years | None | Variable |
| End of term options | Flexible with 25% renewal term credits to new system | No credits to new system | No credits to new system |
| Maintenance included | Yes | No | No |
| Eligible for incentives | Yes | No | No |
Long Beach, CA Heat Pump Rebates & Incentives
Local and federal incentive programs can significantly reduce the cost of a new heat pump system. Here are the programs available to Long Beach homeowners.
California Energy Smart Homes
Up to $15,000+
Provides rebates for homes that fully electrify and discontinue gas service. Includes rebates for heat pump HVAC systems and other electrification measures.
Eligibility: Available to Southern California Edison customers (including Long Beach) undertaking home alterations or new construction that include heat pump HVAC or water heating system replacements. Requires full home electrification and gas service discontinuation.
Federal IRA Tax Credit
Up to $2,000
The Inflation Reduction Act provides a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pump installations through 2032.
Eligibility: Available to homeowners who purchase and install a qualifying heat pump system. Claimed on your annual federal tax return.
Long Beach homeowners have access to the California Energy Smart Homes Program, which offers substantial rebates for full home electrification projects including heat pump installations, with incentives available through 2027. Additionally, the federal IRA tax credit of up to $2,000 is available for qualifying heat pump systems. Palmetto can help homeowners understand these incentive options and explore alternative solutions like our Comfort Plan lease, which offers $0 upfront cost for heat pump installation.
Climate Zones
Long Beach sits in IECC Climate Zone 10, which means mild winters (rarely dipping below 33°F) and warm summers (peaking around 95°F). This temperate climate is ideal for heat pumps, but proper sizing matters—you need a system matched to these specific conditions for year-round comfort and efficiency. At Palmetto, we know Long Beach's climate inside and out. Explore other zones below or enter your ZIP code to confirm yours.
Climate Zone 10
Warm climate zone with mild winters and very hot summers.
Climate Zone 10A
Avg. extreme winters: 30° to 35° F
Climate Zone 10B
Avg. extreme winters: 35° to 40° F
Long Beach Electricity Prices
Long Beach residents face some of the steepest electricity rates in the nation—and they're climbing faster than almost anywhere else.
California's electricity costs have surged 40% since 2021, jumping from 22.8 to 31.9 cents per kWh. That's nearly double the national average, meaning Long Beach homeowners pay significantly more to heat and cool their homes.
Heat pumps offer a practical response to rising rates. Because they're 2-3x more efficient than traditional HVAC systems, they use less electricity to deliver the same comfort—directly reducing your monthly energy bills even as rates increase.
As California's electricity costs continue their upward trend, that efficiency advantage compounds year after year. A heat pump installation today means lower energy consumption for decades, protecting your budget against future rate hikes.
Long Beach Area Utility Providers
Long Beach residents receive electricity primarily from Southern California Edison (SCE) at 32.3¢ per kWh or LADWP at 23.0¢ per kWh, based on 2023 data—both exceeding the national average of 16.0¢ per kWh.
California's electricity costs reflect investments in renewable energy infrastructure, strict environmental standards, and the state's transition away from fossil fuels. These factors contribute to rates above the national average, though they support cleaner grid operations.
Heat pumps help offset higher electricity costs through exceptional efficiency—typically moving three units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. This efficiency advantage means lower total energy spending compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
Long Beach Utilities Electricity Rates
| Provider | Rate (¢/kWh) | Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| SCE | 32.30 | +102% |
| LADWP | 23.00 | +44% |
| CA Average | 29.50 | +84% |
| US Average | 16.0 | — |
Repair versus replace
When a heat pump is in need of repair it is worth considering whether a replacement would be a better investment. While each case is unique, we generally recommend investing in a new unit when repairs exceed $5,000.
| Potential repair | Cost range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Capacitor Replacement | $150 - $400 | Common issue when unit struggles to start or makes a humming noise. Capacitors store the electrical energy needed to start the compressor and fan motors. |
| Refrigerant Recharge | $250 - $750 | Needed when the system loses cooling or heating efficiency due to low refrigerant levels. Includes leak detection, repair of minor leaks, and recharging the system to the manufacturer-specified level. |
| Reversing Valve Replacement | $450 - $900 | Required when the unit cannot switch between heating and cooling modes. The reversing valve directs refrigerant flow and is unique to heat pump systems. |
| Compressor Replacement | $1,500 - $3,000 | Major repair needed when the unit fails to heat or cool entirely. The compressor is the heart of the system, circulating refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor coils. |
| Evaporator/Condenser Coil Replacement | $1,200 - $2,800 | Replacement needed when coils develop leaks or corrosion that cannot be economically repaired. Coil damage reduces heat transfer efficiency and can cause refrigerant loss. |
| Control Board Replacement | $500 - $1,200 | Required when the system has electrical failures or erratic behavior. The control board manages all system operations including defrost cycles, fan speeds, and compressor staging. |
| Full System Replacement | $4,500 - $8,000+ | When repairs exceed the value of the unit or multiple major components fail simultaneously. Includes removal of the old system and installation of a new heat pump with updated refrigerant lines and electrical connections. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do heat pumps make sense in Long Beach?
Yes, heat pumps make excellent sense in Long Beach. The city's mild coastal climate (Climate Zone 10, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below 33°F) is ideal for heat pump efficiency. With California's electricity costs at 31.9¢ per kWh, a heat pump's ability to move heat rather than generate it means lower energy bills compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
How efficient are heat pumps in Long Beach's climate?
Heat pumps are exceptionally efficient in Long Beach's mild Mediterranean climate. With winter design temperatures around 33°F and summer peaks near 95°F, heat pumps operate in their optimal performance range year-round.
Should I lease or buy a heat pump in Long Beach?
The choice between leasing and buying a heat pump in Long Beach depends on your financial situation and preferences.
How much does a heat pump cost in Long Beach?
Heat pump installation costs in Long Beach typically range from $5,000 to $15,000 for a complete system, depending on your home's size, existing ductwork, and the equipment's efficiency rating.
Is a heat pump worth it financially?
Yes, heat pumps are typically worth it financially in Long Beach. With California's electricity rate at 31.9¢ per kWh, heat pumps can significantly reduce your energy bills since they move heat rather than generate it, using less electricity than traditional HVAC systems.
Who installs heat pumps in Long Beach?
Heat pumps in Long Beach are installed by licensed HVAC contractors who specialize in residential heating and cooling systems.
What is the difference between a heat pump and HVAC?
A heat pump is actually a type of HVAC system. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—it's an umbrella term for any equipment that controls your home's temperature.