HVAC · Service

Heat pump installation, without the sales pitch

One system that heats and cools. We match you with vetted local HVAC pros, show you what it really costs, and tell you straight when a heat pump is the wrong choice for your home.

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In short

What is heat pump installation?

A heat pump is a single system that both heats and cools your home by moving heat rather than burning fuel. Installation means sizing the unit to your home with a Manual J load calculation, siting the outdoor unit, connecting refrigerant lines and electrical, and commissioning the system — typically 4 to 8 hours for a straightforward replacement. It suits most homes, but not all: the two things that decide it are your climate and the state of your ductwork.

Triggers

Signs you need heat pump installation

Your furnace and your AC are both near the end of their lives — replacing them as one system is where a heat pump makes the most financial sense
You are heating with electric resistance, propane or oil, where the running-cost saving is largest
You have rooms that have never been comfortable, and there is no duct run serving them
You are adding conditioned space — a garage conversion, an addition, a finished attic
Your existing system is over 15 years old and you are facing a repair bill worth more than a third of a replacement
You want cooling in a house that has never had it, and you would rather not pay for two separate systems

Seeing something not on this list? Browse hvac problems by symptom →

The job

How heat pump installation actually works

Load calculation, before anything is quoted

A Manual J calculation measures what your home actually needs — square footage, insulation, window area, orientation, air leakage. It is the difference between a system that works and one that does not.

Watch for: A contractor who sizes from square footage alone, or who "matches what you had". Oversizing is the single most common heat pump installation failure: the unit short-cycles, never runs long enough to dehumidify, and wears out early. If nobody measures, get another quote.
Ductwork assessment

Heat pumps move a larger volume of air at a lower temperature than a furnace does. Ducts sized for a furnace are often too restrictive, and leaky ducts lose 20–30% of what you paid to condition.

Watch for: Duct modifications quoted as a vague allowance after the contract is signed. Get duct work priced in the original quote or explicitly excluded in writing.
System selection — ducted, ductless, or both

Ducted replaces your existing air handler and uses the ducts you have. Ductless mini-splits mount on the wall and serve individual zones. Many homes end up hybrid: ducted for the main floor, a mini-split for the addition the ducts never reached.

Watch for: Being shown one brand only. The installer matters more than the badge — a well-installed mid-tier unit outperforms a badly installed premium one every time.
Removal and site preparation

The old equipment comes out and its refrigerant is recovered — this is legally required, not optional. The outdoor unit gets a level pad with clearance for airflow, raised above expected snow line in cold climates.

Watch for: Outdoor units set directly on the ground, tight against the wall, or under a roofline that dumps ice on them.
Installation and refrigerant line set

The indoor air handler or coil is fitted, the outdoor unit is placed, and the two are joined by refrigerant lines and control wiring. Lines are evacuated with a vacuum pump before the system is charged.

Watch for: Skipping the vacuum step, or a short "purge" instead. Moisture and air left in the lines will damage the compressor, and it will fail years after the installer is gone.
Electrical and controls

Heat pumps need a dedicated circuit and disconnect, and often a thermostat that understands multi-stage or variable-speed operation. Older panels sometimes need capacity added.

Watch for: A panel upgrade discovered on install day. A competent pro checks your panel during the site visit, not after the equipment is on the truck.
Commissioning and handover

The system is charged to spec, airflow is measured, refrigerant pressures and temperature split are verified, and the controls are configured. You should be walked through filters, settings and backup heat.

Watch for: No commissioning numbers on the paperwork. A correctly commissioned system comes with measured readings, not just a signature. Ask for them — they are your proof if you claim on the warranty later.

Money

What does heat pump installation cost?

Most whole-home heat pump installations land between $6,000 and $20,000 before incentives, driven mainly by system size, ducted versus ductless, and whether your ductwork or electrical panel needs work. Federal and state incentives can take a meaningful bite out of that.

See the full heat pump installation cost guide — by material, size and region →

Straight answer

When heat pump installation is the wrong call

Everyone else ranking for this is paid when you say yes. Here's when you shouldn't.

Your furnace is only a few years old and working fine. Scrapping a healthy furnace to fit a heat pump rarely pays back. The economics work when you are replacing equipment anyway.
You heat with cheap natural gas in a severe-winter climate. Cold-climate heat pumps genuinely work below freezing, but where gas is inexpensive the running-cost saving can be small or negative. Ask for a running-cost comparison against your actual utility rates — not national averages.
Your ducts are undersized or badly leaking and you cannot afford to fix them. A heat pump on bad ducts will underperform and you will blame the heat pump. Fix the ducts first, or expect a disappointment.
Your electrical panel is at capacity and a service upgrade is not in budget. The upgrade can add several thousand dollars, and finding out mid-install is the worst version of that conversation.
You are moving within a few years. The payback period on the running-cost saving usually outlasts a short stay, and resale value rarely reflects the full spend.
Nobody local installs them well. This one matters more than the equipment. In markets where heat pumps are new, installation quality varies enormously. If you cannot find an installer with a real track record, a well-installed conventional system beats a poorly installed heat pump.

Your options

Types of heat pump installation

Ducted heat pump

Uses your existing ductwork. The default when ducts are in good shape.

Ductless mini split

Wall-mounted zones, no ducts needed. Best for additions and problem rooms.

Dual fuel / hybrid

Heat pump paired with a gas furnace that takes over in deep cold.

Compare hvac options side by side →

Before you sign

What to check when hiring for heat pump installation

Will you perform a Manual J load calculation, and can I see it?

The most important question on this page. If the answer is vague, the system will be sized by guesswork.
What is this unit's rated capacity at my design temperature?

Heat pump output falls as it gets colder. A unit rated at 47°F tells you nothing about a 5°F night. Ask for capacity at your local design temperature specifically.
What backup heat is included, and when does it engage?

Most installations include electric backup. Badly configured, it runs far more than it needs to and your winter bills go up rather than down.
Is duct modification included in this price, or excluded?

The most common source of change orders on a heat pump job. Get it in writing either way.
Does my electrical panel have capacity, and have you checked it?

Should be answered at the site visit. Discovering it on install day means an unplanned bill and a delay.
Which rebates and tax credits am I eligible for, and who files them?

Some are claimed by you, some by the installer, and some require specific equipment efficiency tiers chosen before purchase. Sort this before signing, not after.
Will you give me the commissioning readings when you finish?

Measured airflow, refrigerant pressures and temperature split. A pro who commissions properly will hand these over without hesitation.

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Local pros

Heat Pump Installation near you

Local pro matching for heat pump installation is rolling out by metro. Enter your ZIP and we'll match you with vetted pros in your area today.

Related work

Often done at the same time

HVAC Replacement

Replacing the whole system at once

Mini Split Installation

Ductless zones

Ductwork Installation

When the ducts are the problem

HVAC Maintenance

Keeping it running well

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FAQ

Heat Pump Installation — questions people ask

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How long does a heat pump installation take?

A straightforward replacement is usually 4 to 8 hours — a single day. Add a day or more if ductwork needs modifying, an electrical panel needs upgrading, or you are fitting a multi-zone ductless system with several indoor heads.

Do heat pumps actually work in cold weather?

Modern cold-climate heat pumps produce useful heat well below freezing, and many are rated to operate at -13°F. What changes is capacity: output falls as temperature drops, which is why sizing at your design temperature matters and why most cold-climate installations include backup heat for the worst nights. The old "heat pumps don't work in winter" advice is based on equipment from decades ago.

Is a heat pump cheaper to run than my furnace?

It depends entirely on what you are replacing and your local utility rates. Against electric resistance, propane or oil, the saving is usually substantial. Against cheap natural gas it can be small, or occasionally negative. Ask any contractor quoting you for a running-cost comparison using your actual rates — if they will not produce one, that tells you something.

Do I need to replace my ductwork for a heat pump?

Not always, but it gets checked. Heat pumps move more air at a lower temperature than furnaces, so ducts sized tightly for a furnace can restrict them. Sealing and modest resizing is common; full replacement is not. Have this assessed and priced before you sign, because it is the most frequent source of change orders on these jobs.

What size heat pump do I need?

Only a Manual J load calculation answers this properly — it accounts for your insulation, windows, air leakage and orientation, not just square footage. Beware of oversizing: a unit that is too large short-cycles, never runs long enough to dehumidify properly, and wears out sooner. Bigger is not safer with heat pumps.

Are there rebates or tax credits for heat pumps?

Usually yes, and they can be significant — but eligibility depends on equipment efficiency tier, your location and sometimes your income, and the rules change. Confirm which programmes apply before you choose equipment, because qualifying often requires picking a specific efficiency tier at purchase. Ask your installer which they file and which you claim.