Solar panels or a heat pump first?
If you heat with gas, oil or propane, buy the heat pump first. If your home is already all-electric, buy solar first. They are not competitors — a heat pump reduces the energy you need, solar changes where your electricity comes from. Order matters because a heat pump changes how many panels you need.
They do different jobs
| Heat pump | Solar panels | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Moves heat efficiently — heating and cooling | Generates electricity |
| Typical cost | $8,000–18,000 | $22,800 for 8 kW |
| Cuts | Gas/oil use; often raises electricity use | Electricity bought from the grid |
| Works when | Always | Daylight only, without a battery |
Why order matters
If both are on the horizon, decide that now and size the array for the future load — not today's bill.
Gas-heated home: heat pump first
Replacing gas heating with a heat pump typically cuts both energy cost and carbon more per dollar spent than solar does, because you are removing a fuel rather than re-sourcing electricity. It also gives you cooling, which matters more each year. Then size solar for the new, higher electrical load.
All-electric home: solar first
If you already heat with electric resistance or an existing heat pump, your bill is entirely electricity — exactly what solar offsets. Here solar is the more direct saving, and a heat pump upgrade can follow.
The combination is the strong version
A heat pump running on your own solar is the cheapest heat available to a typical home. The catch is seasonal: heating demand peaks in winter when solar output is lowest. How winter output actually behaves → Grid-tied systems handle this by banking summer surplus, which makes your net metering rules important again. What those rules do →
Sizing for both
Roughly, add 5,000 kWh a year to your usage for a heat pump in a moderate climate, more in a cold one. At typical sunlight that is about 8–11 extra panels. Work out your number → Then check whether your roof holds them → before committing to either.
What this looks like in real cities
Measured rooftop data, spanning the range from fastest to slowest payback we have found:
| City | Sun hrs/yr | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | 1,787 | 42.1¢ | 3.1 yrs |
| Wilmington, DE | 1,513 | 17.2¢ | 9 yrs |
| Athens, GA | 1,573 | 14.1¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Eugene, OR | 1,386 | 12.4¢ | 13.7 yrs |
| Gatineau, QC | 1,291 | 7.9¢ | 33.3 yrs |
Frequently asked
Can solar panels run a heat pump?
Yes, though the timing is imperfect: heating demand peaks in winter when solar output is lowest. Grid-tied systems handle this by banking summer surplus.
Do heat pumps work in cold climates?
Modern cold-climate models operate well below -20C. Efficiency falls as it gets colder, so cold-climate homes often keep a backup heat source.
Should I get both at the same time?
If budget allows, yes - one permit, one design, one crew, and the array is sized for your real future load rather than your current bill.
Related guides
General information, updated 2026-08-22. Not financial, tax or engineering advice.