The federal energy tax credits have expired

Costs and payback figures on this page may still assume a federal credit that no longer exists. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) and the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) both ended for property placed in service after 31 December 2025, and the home EV charger credit (30C) ended after 30 June 2026. Assume no federal credit on work done today.

What expired, and what still exists →

Is Electrification Worth It in North Dakota?

North Dakota is the final exam for cold-climate heat pumps.

Bismarck gets 8,900 heating degree days. -30°F happens multiple times per winter. Natural gas costs $1.05/therm from Bakken production. Electricity runs $0.12/kWh. Ten years ago, I would have said heat pumps don't make sense here. But technology has improved dramatically.

You need a true cold-climate heat pump—Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat or equivalent—with backup heat integration. If you're heating with propane or oil, the savings are massive ($1,500+ per year). With natural gas, it's marginal unless you really care about emissions. This is one of the few states where a high-efficiency gas furnace is still defensible.

Updated 31 July 2026Data from EIA, DSIRE, NREL
Heat Pump Payback
Not Recommended
With incentives
Annual Savings
$2,159
Full electrification
Available Incentives
$850
State + utility (federal credits expired)
CO₂ Reduction
14.3 tons
Per year

What Do Energy Costs Look Like in North Dakota?

Here's the real data from EIA (Energy Information Administration). These are the rates that determine whether electrification makes financial sense.

Electricity Rate
$0.115/kWh
Natural Gas Rate
$1.15/therm
Average Electric Bill
$125/month
Average Gas Bill
$88/month
Climate Zone
cold
Heating Degree Days
8,800
Cooling Degree Days
650

Visual ROI Analysis

Payback Period Comparison

Lower is better • Shortest payback = fastest return on investment

Annual Savings Comparison

Higher is better • More annual savings = greater long-term benefit

Cumulative Net Savings Over Time

Point where line crosses $0 = payback achieved • Steeper line = faster savings growth

Which Upgrades Pay Off the Fastest?

The economics are broken down for each major upgrade. Pay attention to the payback period—that's how long until savings equal your net cost.

🌡️

Heat Pump HVAC

Upfront Cost$12,000 - $22,000
Total Incentives-$400
Net Cost$11,600 - $21,600
Annual Savings$21/yr
Payback PeriodNot Recommended
Lifetime ROI8%
CO₂ Reduction4.7 tons/yr
☀️

Solar Panels

Upfront Cost$15,000 - $30,000
Total Incentives-$0
Net Cost$15,000 - $30,000
Annual Savings$745/yr
Payback Period31.7 years
Lifetime ROI97%
CO₂ Reduction3.1 tons/yr
💧

Heat Pump Water Heater

Upfront Cost$2,500 - $4,500
Total Incentives-$300
Net Cost$2,200 - $4,200
Annual Savings$173/yr
Payback Period22.1 years
Lifetime ROI58%
CO₂ Reduction1.8 tons/yr

EV Charger + Electric Vehicle

Upfront Cost$800 - $2,500
Total Incentives-$150
Net Cost$650 - $2,350
Annual Savings$1,220/yr
Payback Period1.3 years
Lifetime ROI1574%
CO₂ Reduction4.8 tons/yr

Should You Go All-In?

Here's what it costs to electrify everything at once—heat pump HVAC, solar panels, heat pump water heater, and EV charger. The upfront cost is high, but so are the savings.

Total Upfront Cost
$30,300 - $59,000
Total Incentives
-$850
Net Cost After Incentives
$29,450 - $58,150
Annual Energy Savings
$2,159/year
Lifetime Savings (18 years)
$38,865
Simple Payback
22.5 years
💡

Best ROI for North Dakota

Based on your state's energy costs and climate, EV Charger offers the best return on investment with an average payback of 1.3 years and an ROI of 1574%.

0.0 years slower than average compared to the national average.

Ready to electrify your North Dakota home?

Get free quotes from local contractors who specialize in heat pumps, solar, and electrification.

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