Oklahoma's climate makes both viable options. Here's how to choose the right heating system for your home.
Oklahoma's Climate Favors Heat Pumps
Oklahoma's relatively mild winters (average January low of 28°F in OKC) make it ideal heat pump territory. Heat pumps work efficiently down to about 30-35°F. Below that, they need supplemental heat. In Oklahoma, that's only a handful of days per year — making heat pumps a strong choice for most homes.
How Heat Pumps Save Money
A heat pump provides both heating AND cooling from one system. Instead of burning gas, it transfers heat — like a refrigerator in reverse. This makes it 2-3x more efficient than a gas furnace for heating. Oklahoma homeowners who switch from gas furnace + AC to a heat pump typically save $300-$600/year on combined heating and cooling costs.
When a Gas Furnace Is Better
If your home already has a gas furnace in good condition and you only need to replace the AC, adding a heat pump instead may not justify the cost difference. Gas furnaces also provide warmer air (120-140°F) compared to heat pumps (90-100°F), which some people prefer. And if natural gas prices are low in your area, the operating cost difference narrows.
The Dual-Fuel Option
A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace backup. The heat pump handles heating down to about 35°F, then the gas furnace kicks in for the coldest days. This gives you the efficiency of a heat pump 90% of the time with the security of gas heat during ice storms and deep freezes. It's the best of both worlds for Oklahoma's unpredictable winters.
Available Incentives
Federal tax credits of up to $2,000 are available for qualifying heat pump installations through the Inflation Reduction Act. Some Oklahoma utility companies also offer rebates. ARP Heat And Air can help you navigate available incentives and determine if a heat pump is right for your home.
At ARP Heat And Air, we've been helping Oklahoma homeowners with their HVAC needs since 2011. Our owner Charlie brings 14+ years of hands-on experience and is known for giving honest, practical advice — not trying to upsell you on services you don't need.
If you have questions or need HVAC service in the OKC metro area, give us a call at (405) 413-0583. We offer free estimates, same-day service, and 24/7 emergency response.
Based in Edmond, OK, we serve 19 cities across the Oklahoma City metro area. Oklahoma CIB License #00125054.
Specific Oklahoma Considerations
Oklahoma's climate is genuinely well-suited to heat pumps despite old-timer skepticism. Here's what's specific to our area.
Our winters are mild enough. Modern heat pumps maintain efficiency down to 20-25°F. Oklahoma City averages about 10-20 sub-freezing mornings per winter and rarely drops below 10°F. For those rare extreme cold spells, backup heat (electric strips or gas furnace) handles the load.
Dual-fuel is the smart middle option. Pair a heat pump with your existing gas furnace as backup. The system uses heat pump efficiency in normal cold (down to 30-35°F) and switches to gas when it's below that. You get heat pump savings most of the winter and gas reliability for the coldest days.
Cooling performance is equivalent or better. A heat pump IS an AC in cooling mode. Same SEER2 ratings available, same efficiency, same cooling capacity.
Federal tax credits ($2,000 in 2026). Qualifying ENERGY STAR cold-climate heat pumps get a 30% federal tax credit up to $2,000. This closes much of the upfront cost gap vs AC + furnace.
Electric vs gas bill math. If your home is already on gas, the heat pump wins in mild winter weather (Nov, Mar) and loses slightly in deep cold (Jan). Most Oklahoma homeowners net a small savings to break-even on utility costs — the real gains come from the federal tax credit and cooling-side efficiency.