Heat Pumps vs. Electric Resistance Heat: Efficiency Compared
COP explains why heat pumps move more BTUs per kWh than baseboard strips—and when resistance still appears.
Resistance heat turns one kWh into one kWh of heat—COP 1 by definition. Heat pumps move heat rather than manufacture it, delivering several kWh of heat per kWh of input when conditions are favorable.
COP in plain language
A COP of 3.5 means three and a half units of heat delivered per unit of electricity consumed. Cold climates see COP fall; modern cold-climate units are engineered for it but still beat strips on many winter days.
When strips still show up
Auxiliary resistance strips supplement heat pumps during defrost or extreme cold. They are backup, not the economic baseline. If your bill spikes on the coldest week, strips may be active—check runtime logs.
Distribution matters
Forced air vs. mini-split vs. hydronic changes comfort and loss paths. COP at the outdoor unit does not always equal COP at the register.
Cooling is the bonus
The same hardware air-conditions in summer. Compare total HVAC ownership, not heating alone.
Heat pumps are not magic—they are refrigerators run backward. Understand COP, model your climate, and resistance heat stops looking like the default comparison.