Is Electrification Worth It in West Virginia?

West Virginia: Mountains, coal country, and cheap electricity.

Charleston gets 4,600 heating degree days. Electricity costs $0.12/kWh. Natural gas runs $1.20/therm. Mountainous terrain means some areas get colder, some milder. Appalachian Power offers heat pump rebates up to $850, and the federal credit helps.

Heat pumps work fine in most of West Virginia. If you're in the valleys (Huntington, Charleston), payback is 7-9 years. Higher elevations need cold-climate models. The big opportunity: If you're heating with propane or oil (common in rural WV), switching to a heat pump saves $1,000-1,600/year. That's a no-brainer.

Updated December 2024Data from EIA, DSIRE, NREL
Heat Pump Payback
Not Recommended
With incentives
Annual Savings
$2,433
Full electrification
Available Incentives
$10,250
Federal + state + utility
CO₂ Reduction
14.3 tons
Per year

West Virginia Energy Costs

Electricity Rate
$0.128/kWh
Natural Gas Rate
$1.48/therm
Average Electric Bill
$132/month
Average Gas Bill
$72/month
Climate Zone
cold
Heating Degree Days
5,000
Cooling Degree Days
850

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

Return on Investment by Upgrade

🌡️

Heat Pump HVAC

Upfront Cost$12,000 - $22,000
Total Incentives-$2,350
Net Cost$9,650 - $19,650
Annual Savings$184/yr
Payback PeriodNot Recommended
Lifetime ROI23%
CO₂ Reduction4.7 tons/yr
☀️

Solar Panels

Upfront Cost$15,000 - $30,000
Total Incentives-$4,500
Net Cost$10,500 - $21,000
Annual Savings$829/yr
Payback Period19.9 years
Lifetime ROI108%
CO₂ Reduction3.1 tons/yr
💧

Heat Pump Water Heater

Upfront Cost$2,500 - $4,500
Total Incentives-$2,250
Net Cost$250 - $2,250
Annual Savings$252/yr
Payback Period6.0 years
Lifetime ROI83%
CO₂ Reduction1.8 tons/yr

EV Charger + Electric Vehicle

Upfront Cost$800 - $2,500
Total Incentives-$1,150
Net Cost$-350 - $1,350
Annual Savings$1,168/yr
Payback Period0.5 years
Lifetime ROI1509%
CO₂ Reduction4.8 tons/yr

Full Electrification Package

Total Upfront Cost
$30,300 - $59,000
Total Incentives
-$10,250
Net Cost After Incentives
$20,050 - $48,750
Annual Energy Savings
$2,433/year
Lifetime Savings (18 years)
$43,800
Simple Payback
15.7 years
💡

Best ROI for West Virginia

Based on your state's energy costs and climate, EV Charger offers the best return on investment with an average payback of 0.5 years and an ROI of 1509%.

0.0 years slower than average compared to the national average.

Ready to electrify your West Virginia home?

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

Get Free Quotes →