Heat pump or gas furnace in Columbus, Ohio?

If your Columbus gas furnace needs replacing, you may be weighing a heat pump against another furnace. Weather and equipment ratings tell you whether a heat pump is built for the cold you get. Energy prices and rebates shape what you pay. This guide covers NOAA's Columbus weather data, the cold-climate heat pump standards, Ohio's current energy prices, the state's federal rebate status, and what Ohio Power and Columbia Gas of Ohio list as of October 2026. It does not turn the prices into a cost estimate.

How cold does it get in Columbus?

NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for its Columbus station (USW00014821, listed by NCEI as Columbus Port Columbus Intl AP) show 5,233.4 heating degree days and 1,067.8 cooling degree days a year. Heating degree days far outnumber cooling degree days at this station.

In January, the normals show a normal average low of 22.0°F, a normal average high of 37.1°F and 1,098.6 heating degree days.

The airport averages 103.2 days a year with a low at or below 32°F, 10.1 days with a low at or below 10°F and 2.3 days with a low at or below 0°F. These are 30-year averages for one station, and any single winter can differ from them.

Cold-climate heat pump ratings for central Ohio

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) says its Version 4.0 specification "was designed to identify air source heat pumps that are best suited to heat efficiently in cold climates (IECC climate zone 4 and higher)." A Department of Energy county guide from August 2015 lists Franklin County in IECC climate zone 5A and in Building America's "Cold" region. That guide is more than five years old, and we did not check newer code editions. Under the 2015 assignment, Franklin County sits inside NEEP's target zones.

NEEP's requirements for central heat pumps include these two. The compressor "must be variable capacity (three or more distinct operating speeds, or continuously variable)." The unit must also reach a "COP at 5°F ≥ 1.75 at maximum capacity operation."

ENERGY STAR's Version 6.2 requirements add a capacity test for its Cold Climate designation. A unit must keep at least 70% of its 47°F heating capacity at 5°F. For ducted split heat pumps, the Cold Climate level also calls for at least 15.2 SEER2 and 8.1 HSPF2. By comparison, the federal minimum for split-system heat pumps is 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.

Columbus averages 2.3 days a year with a low at or below 0°F, which is colder than the 5°F test point. Ask for a model's rated output at the lowest temperatures it lists. Ohio Power's heating and cooling tips include this tip: "Clear your heat pump of all obstructions including snow, landscaping or fences."

Ohio electricity and natural gas prices

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports state averages. Ohio's average residential electricity price was 19.45 cents per kilowatt-hour in July 2026, compared with 17.38 cents in July 2025. EIA's year-to-date table covers the winter months too. It shows 18.70 cents for January through July 2026, up from 16.55 cents for the same months of 2025.

Ohio's average residential natural gas price was $13.85 per thousand cubic feet in 2025, close to the $13.77 of 2024. EIA's monthly series shows $12.81 in February 2026, $13.75 in March, $16.89 in April and $22.83 in May. EIA lists June and July 2026 as not available.

Electricity is sold by the kilowatt-hour and gas by the thousand cubic feet. We have not converted them into a cost per unit of heat or a yearly bill. They are statewide averages, not Ohio Power's or Columbia Gas's rates.

Ohio's federal home energy rebates (HOMES and HEEHR)

The Ohio Department of Development's Home Energy Savings Program page carries a date of April 25, 2024. It says that through the Inflation Reduction Act, "the State of Ohio was awarded $249 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), via a formula grant." The money is for two rebate programs: HOMES, and the High-Efficiency Electric Homes Rebate Program (HEEHR).

On status, the page says the department's Office of Energy and Environment "is currently awaiting approval from DOE on the program application, which was submitted Nov. 12, 2024." The only launch timing on the page says the department "anticipates launching the program in the fourth quarter of 2024 or the first quarter of 2025, depending upon when the State of Ohio receives program approval and release of funds from DOE." Both of those quarters have passed. As of October 2026, the page showed no newer timing, and we could not confirm a later status from DOE.

For the electric home rebates, the page lists "a $14,000 cap per household, with a $8,000 cap for heat pump costs, $1,750 for a heat pump water heater, and $4,000 for panel/service upgrade." The page says HEEHR is an income-qualified program for people earning less than 150% of Area Median Income. We found no sign on the page that these rebates had launched as of October 2026.

Ohio Power and Columbia Gas programs

In a September 24, 2026 release, AEP Ohio said: "Beginning Oct. 1, customers will start seeing the Ohio Power Company name on the company's website, bills, customer communications and other materials." It added that "the company's website, AEPOhio.com, will transition to OhioPowerCo.com in October."

As of October 2026, Ohio Power's savings programs page offers a smart thermostat discount. "When you sign up for the Power Rewards: Smart Thermostat Program, you'll receive an instant $75 discount on the purchase of a new smart thermostat." We did not find a heat pump or furnace rebate on that page. That does not mean one doesn't exist, so ask Ohio Power directly.

Ohio Power's HELP program is for income-qualified customers, and its rules include a household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level guidelines. The page says: "HELP applications have been paused for 2026. Please check back this fall when we will reopen the application for 2027 program assistance."

On the gas side, Columbia Gas of Ohio says its "residential energy efficiency programs, not including the income-qualified program, have ended." It adds that income-qualified customers "may be eligible for no-cost weatherization services through our WarmChoice® program, which continues to be offered."

Weighing your options in Columbus

Programs change, so confirm with your utility before you buy. Before you choose, check:

• the heat pump's cold-climate ratings
• your own electric and gas rates
• whether any rebate opens up

The federal HOMES and HEEHR programs are one such rebate, but only once Ohio launches them.