How Many Amps Does a Heat Pump Use?
Heat Pump draws about 13 amps at 240 volts (3,000 watts running) and briefly spikes to around 25 amps at startup. Heat Pump runs on its own dedicated 240 V circuit — plan on a 25-60 A breaker, per the unit's nameplate MOCP.
Amps = watts ÷ volts. Enter the wattage from your appliance's nameplate or label for an exact figure.
Current draw — a heat pump
13 A
- At 240 V
- 3,000 W
This appliance's circuit is sized from its nameplate per the NEC, not from wattage — see the circuit guidance below.
Heat Pump amperage at 120 V and 240 V
Same 3,000 W load — the current halves when the voltage doubles. Heat Pump is typically a 240 V appliance in US homes.
| Draw | Watts | Amps at 120 V | Amps at 240 V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 3,000 W | 25 A | 13 A |
| Starting (surge) | 6,000 W | 50 A | 25 A |
The startup surge lasts a fraction of a second — it matters for generator sizing and breaker trip curves, not for your electric bill.
Breaker and circuit for a heat pump
Heat Pump runs on its own dedicated 240 V circuit — plan on a 25-60 A breaker, per the unit's nameplate MOCP. Heat pumps are sized from the nameplate MCA/MOCP (NEC Article 440); units with electric strip heat need substantially larger circuits than the compressor draw suggests.
Guidance only — actual circuit sizing depends on your unit's nameplate, wire run length, and local code. Confirm with a licensed electrician. See the wire & breaker size chart for the full NEC ampacity table.
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