Heat Pump Installation | Average Cost for an Installed Heat Pump?

How much does it cost to have a heat pump system installed? Most homeowners want an idea of their total costs when deciding which type of HVAC system to go with. The cost of installing a heat pump system is almost identical to the cost of installing a traditional split system, so don’t let that factor sway your decision.

The costs used here are based on an average 2,000 square foot home with a 2-stage heat pump and variable-speed air handler installed. Homeowners who want to save money can choose a single-stage heat pump and single-speed air handler, reducing costs by as much as $1,000 or more. If you choose a dual fuel heat pump to handle very cold weather, prices will be $500-$1,000 more.

Taking these things into consideration, your heat pump system equipment costs for a 2,000 square foot home should range from $3,500 to more than $7,500. Here’s what’s included in a typical heat pump installation price, along with what additional costs are likely to be.

Installing a Heat Pump System

When replacing a heat pump system, the old one will need to be removed. The air handler is disconnected from the duct work. Refrigerant lines are disconnected from the indoor and outdoor coils. The old system should be properly disposed of which may incur additional costs.

In a newly built home, you may want to pour a pad for the condensing unit. Prefabricated pads are also available. A hole will need to be made in the side of the house in order to run refrigerant and power lines to the outdoor unit. If you’re having a dual fuel unit installed, vent for the furnace will need to be run as well.

Then the condensing unit and the air handler will be installed, connected and wired. The indoor coil is installed inside the cabinet or on top of the air handler. A plenum will need to be made to properly fit the air handler or furnace to the duct work. Once everything is in place, the system will be charged with refrigerant.

The HVAC technicians will then turn on the system and completely test all of its operations. The entire process should take 6-12 hours depending on the size of the crew doing the work. Because of the training HVAC technicians receive and the skill they are required to have, they are paid quite well.

Factors Affecting Heat Pump Installation Costs

Heat pump contractors base their estimates on the amount of time and materials it will take them to install the heat pump system. In terms of time, an easy installation of an air handler in a first-floor utility room will cost less than a difficult installation in a crawl space or an attic. Condensing units installed on roofs cost more.

Materials include the plenum for the air handler or furnace and refrigerant line. Linesets come in different lengths and the longer the set needed, the more it will cost. Thermostats vary in price quite a bit, from under $75 to more than $500, so the one that you choose, or the model that is required, will affect installation costs. If you choose a dual fuel system, running the venting for the furnace will include both time and material costs.

Heat Pump Installation Costs

Now that you know what is involved, the cost of installation may make more sense. Where the work is easy and the need for materials is minimal, an entire system may be installed for less than $3,000. Where the installation is complex and the need for extra materials is high, the cost may exceed $6,000.

Therefore, your total costs for an installed heat pump system is likely to be $6,500 to $13,500.

Average Installation Cost for Heat Pump Systems

Getting the right size heat pump for your home is a very important process. It makes as much difference to the comfort of your home and the durability of the system as getting the right heat pump model or finding the right installer for the job.

Why the Right Size Heat Pump Matters

Residential heat pumps are built in 1-ton and ½-ton increments. A typical lineup might be models with 1.5, 2,0, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 ton models. Some 2.5 ton models are made but almost no 4.5 ton models are made.

If a heat pump is undersized, the negative effects are obvious. It won’t adequately heat or cool your home when temperatures are either very cold or very hot. It will work too hard during those times too, which may lead to mechanical problems and having to replace it prematurely.

If a heat pump is oversized, the most common complaints are significant temperature fluctuations and parts of the house that don’t get adequately heated or cooled. Here’s why these problems occur. An oversized unit creates more hot/cold air than is required. It pushes that air into the house too quickly. The area surrounding the thermostat might warm/cool too quickly, shutting down the cycle before areas furthest from the thermostat get sufficiently warmed or cooled.

In addition, this type of short cycling is often cited as a reason compressors break down. Finally, when a home is cooled too quickly, the system doesn’t run long enough to adequately remove humidity from the air. A house with an oversize heat pump will be cool and clammy in the summer – not very comfortable.

How to Get the Right Size Heat Pump for your Home

There’s only one way to get the right capacity heat pump. You must have a load calculation done on your home. This analysis is sometimes called a heat loss or gain calculation, or is commonly referred to as a Manual J after the name of the manual that contains the required calculations.

The load calculation is actually a complex set of calculations designed to determine how much heating and cooling your home requires based on how quickly it loses heat in winter and gains heat in summer.

There are many factors used in these equations. The square footage of your home is used as well as how that square footage is arranged. For example, all else being equal, a ranch home will lose/gain heat more quickly than the same size 2-story. Your home’s construction type, insulation type, window number and quality, and the climate in your area are all major factors that affect the heat gain/loss load calculation. The home should be evaluated room by room for the most accurate calculations.

Some contractors simply “eyeball” your home and factor in the square footage, and then add a ½ ton of capacity “just to be sure.” This method may lead to all the problems outlined above. Hire a competent contractor to do a complete Manual J load calculation in order to get the right size heat pump for your home and the comfort and durability that comes with it.

How To Get the Right Size Heat Pump for Your Home

Heat pumps are now a viable option in very cold weather. For decades, heat pumps were primarily installed where winter temperatures rarely dipped too far below freezing. This was for 2 reasons. First, heat pump systems don’t work well, if at all, when temperatures get very cold. That part hasn’t changed – they still become inefficient and eventually ineffective in very cold weather. But the problem has been solved with the advent of dual fuel heat pumps.

Secondly, older heat pump technology didn’t create very warm air at the heating grate. Homes would take a long time to warm up in cold weather, and the heat wasn’t very comfortable. That part has changed, and heat pumps can now generate temperatures in excess of 90 degrees F at the heating grate.

Cold Climate Dual Fuel Heat Pumps

Dual fuel heat pumps are designed specifically for colder climates. The terms dual fuel and hybrid heat refer to the same technology. These are heat pumps that can be installed in a split system along with a gas furnace. The heat pump does the heating until outside temperatures fall into the 30s. The system is programmed to have the gas furnace take over at that point and do the heating until temperatures rise out of the 30s.

The exact temperature at which the system switches from one form of heat to the other can be programmed. The system then does it automatically – it doesn’t require a manual switch by the homeowner.

Why not just have a gas furnace in those climates and skip the heat pump? The reason is that heat pumps cost far less to operate than gas furnaces. They are much more efficient. For example, a 9.5 HSPF heat pump will heat 2.5 to 3 times more efficiently than a 92%-95% AFUE gas furnace.

In short, your heating bills will be far lower with a heat pump. Depending on how cold the climate is, in dual fuel systems, the heat pump will supply heat 70%-85% of the time, producing savings of hundreds of dollars per winter in most homes. A hybrid heat system will cost $500-$800 more than a standard gas furnace split system. That extra expense is typically recovered in 2-4 years of lower energy bills.

Other Cold Weather Heat Pump Installation Tips

In snowy climates, it makes sense to install the condensing unit – the outdoor unit in a heat pump – on a stand up to 3 feet high. The heat pump needs air flow and if the cabinet gets surrounded by snow, that can lead to performance or mechanical issues. Having it on a stand will also prevent you from having to consistently clear snow away from it. Secondly, always install the heat pump on a side of the house that has a peak, not on a side that has the roof sloping down to it. This will prevent snow, ice or icicles from falling off the roof and damaging the heat pump.

If you live in a cold climate and are considering a heat pump, they are now a very good option. Choose one of the many dual fuel models from the leading brands and follow these installation tips. You’ll save money this winter and have a very comfortable home.

Best Way to Install a Heat Pump in a Cold Climate

Saving money on a new heat pump can be done if you know how to go about it. Most consumers today are eager to spend less when possible, and these 5 tips for saving money on a heat pump will help you get a quality unit for the best price possible.

Shop for Deals

As with any other products, deals are available when you are on a tight budget and looking to save some money. For heat pumps, deals are common at the end of the heating season but before the air conditioning season gets going. That time frame will change depending on where you live, but late winter to early spring is a good time to buy a new heat pump. You may also find deals on discontinued models. Brands change models somewhat frequently, offering updates and tweaked technology. If you buy a discontinued model, simply make sure that it comes with a full warranty.

Resist Buying Performance Features

To get the lowest price, you may have to sacrifice some performance. For example, a 16 SEER, 4-ton heat pump with single-stage cooling might cost $500-$1,000 less than a 16 SEER, 4-ton 2-stage heat pump from the same brand. If you can live with single-stage heating and cooling, don’t purchase the upgrade no matter how much the sales person pushes. In most cases, unless you’re very conscious of indoor climate factors, you won’t notice much difference. If you’re buying a complete system, the same principle is true in regard to single-speed vs. variable-speed air handlers.

Don’t Buy High Efficiency if You Don’t Need It

If choosing green technology for your home is a top priority, you should buy the most efficient model you can afford. Otherwise, buy a heat pump that matches your climate. Where summers are very hot, a heat pump with a SEER rating of 17 or above will be the most cost-efficient in the long-run. Where summers are warm and occasionally hot, a unit in the 15-17 SEER range will be best. In climates with summers that are warm but not hot, a 13-15 SEER model might make the most economic sense.

Don’t be talked into buying a more efficient model unless you can be convinced that the extra money you pay for it will be returned to you through lower energy bills in a number of years you’re comfortable with. For example, if it will take 5 years and you may sell your house in 3, don’t do it.

Look for Utility Rebates and Credits

This will mean buying more efficient equipment than you otherwise would, since they apply to high efficiency models. However, the credits and rebates will reduce your expenditure and will also keep energy costs lower every month. Check with your energy company to find rebates and credits available to you.

Get Multiple Estimates and Negotiate your Best Deal

Definitely get at least 3 written estimates on systems you are considering. They will form the starting point for getting the best price. From there, feel free to make a counter offer on the deal you like the best. There’s nothing wrong with doing this, and a contractor will often be willing to work with your figures in order to secure the job. If not, they’ll give you their best offer and you can take it or leave it.

Some consumers find that putting these tips to work saves them 15% to 40% on a heat pump. Use the tips that make sense for your situation, and you are very likely to save money on the heat pump system you choose.

5 Ways to Save money on a New Heat Pump System

If you’ve been shopping for heat pump systems, you’ve been faced with the decision of choosing a single-speed air handler or spending more on a variable-speed model. The same thing is true for the heat pump itself, with single-stage, 2-stage and modulating heat pumps available.

What are the advantages of staged heating and variable-speed air handlers? Are they worth the extra money? Here are the benefits, so you can decide if they’re worth the money for your situation.

Benefits of Staged Heating

A single-stage heat pump runs at full capacity all the time it’s on. The drawbacks are that it runs at peak decibels too, which can be noisy. Secondly, single-stage units tend to produce slight temperature fluctuations and imbalances that can be noticeable at times.

Two-stage heat pumps run at low capacity, which is about 65%, most of the time. The first advantage is quieter operation. Secondly, they heat more gently and evenly. Finally, they reduce humidity better in warm weather.

A modulating heat pump runs between 40% and 100%, adjusting in 1% increments. The result is the quietest operation of any type heat pump as well as the most comfortable temperatures and humidity level.

Benefits of a Variable Speed Air Handler

Variable speed air handlers start on low and gradually ramp up to high at the peak of the cycle before slowing down again. First, this eliminates blasts of cold air at the beginning of a heating cycle. They don’t push out full-capacity air before it is properly heated. In the summer, you don’t get warm air at the start of a cycle.

Secondly, because they run on lower speed most of the time, variable speed air handlers are quieter than single speed models. When they are combined with 2-stage or modulating heat pumps, they work much more gently. The cycles are longer, so the house slowly heats or cools. The result is that the areas furthest from the thermostat have time to heat or cool before the thermostat shuts off the system. This approach also removes more humidity in warm weather, creating a more comfortable home, and increases the effectiveness of air purification systems in any season.

Finally, variable-speed air handlers maximize the efficiency of heat pumps, producing SEER ratings up to 1.5 points higher than single-speed air handlers can. The effect is optimized when a variable speed air handler is matched with a 2-stage or modulating heat pump. The result is lower energy bills throughout the year, helping to pay back the higher cost of the equipment.

As you can see, a variable-speed heat pump system produces a more comfortable home, quieter operation and lower energy bills. If low cost of the equipment is your top priority, a variable-speed system may not be worth it.

However, if better climate control and indoor comfort is the goal, a variable speed system makes sense, especially one that helps you recover the extra cost through reduced utility bills.

Benefits of Variable Speed Air Handlers and Heat Pumps

As you consider buying a heat pump, you may want to know what can go wrong.

Here are 5 common problems that may require a service call. We use the term “common” but the good news is that most heat pumps from the major brands are very well built. Breakdowns really aren’t all that common and you probably won’t have consistent reason to call in a heat pump contractor.

Five Most Common Heat Pump Problems

No Power: The heat pump should be on and nothing is happening. You check to make sure the thermostat is on and set to the right temperature. But still nothing. What’s happening? Probably nothing major, but determining what it is can be tricky. You should check the breaker at the circuit box and the breaker outside your home near the condensing unit. If those are on, it could be a burned out wire, failed connector or transformer, a defective capacitor or several other things. Service technicians have a checklist that usually leads them to the problem quickly.

No Heat: The culprit could be something as simple as a faulty thermostat or a failed temperature sensor. Or it may be something more complex like a bad circuit board or worst of all, a bad compressor. Tracking the trouble can be very difficult for a homeowner. A heat pump professional should be able to diagnosis the issue fairly quickly.

Insufficient Heat: Heat pumps work very well in cool weather, but their effectiveness starts to diminish when temperatures fall into the lower 30s and below. If you set your thermostat for 72 degrees in very cold weather, but the unit is struggling to get it to 70 degrees, you may have one of two problems.

• First, the unit may be undersized. Did the contractor do a Manual J load calculation before recommending a system for your home? If so, size is probably not the problem.

• Second, it may be that your heat pump needs more auxiliary heat. Most air handlers are equipped with heat strips that are like space heaters in the air handler and are used to help keep your home warm when temperatures are unseasonably cold.

If the system is undersized and it is the first winter of operation, the HVAC contractor should be responsible for replacing it with a larger unit. If severe cold is the issue, you may need more auxiliary heat.

Noisy Operation: Like with a car, over time, things inside the heat pump or air handler can begin to rattle, grind or vibrate. The most common causes include loose nuts, fittings or connectors. Or the bearing on the blower motor could be shot. Again, the HVAC technician should be able to identify the problem and resolve it very quickly.

Freezing of the Heat Pump: Heat pumps create very cold temperature when cooling and if they aren’t properly regulated, they can freeze up. Turning them off to let them thaw for 5-15 minutes will relieve the immediate issue, but fixing it long-term is the goal. This situation often results from a dirty air filter which leads to the unit frosting up and eventually freezing.

Diagnosing the issue can be tough for a homeowners, but not for a trained HVAC pro. Give them a call if any problem arises that is hard to find or doesn’t have a solution you can handle.

5 Common Heat Pump Problems that May Require a Service Call

2018 The Year Of The Heat Pump

Heat Pump Problems: Outside unit will not start Possible Solutions: Defective circuit breaker, disconnected wires, defective thermostat

Heat Pump Problems: Circuit breaker continually trips when unit starts Possible Solutions: Defective breakers, capacitors

Heat Pump Problems: Outside unit runs but not fan Possible Solutions): Fan motor burned out, loose wires, bad capacitor

Heat Pump Problems: Heat pump collects ice Possible Solutions): Filters dirty, evaporator coil dirty, blower motor bad

Heat Pump Problems: Cold air blowing in the vents during winter (should be warm) Possible Solutions): Low on refrigerant, defective heat pump, vents blocked, filter blocked

Heat Pump Problems: Outdoor unit will not turn off Possible Solutions): Defective thermostat, refrigerant loss

Heat pumps can be extremely efficient in their use of energy. One of the most common of all heat pump problems is that the coils in the outside unit have a tendency to form a build-up of ice. The heat pump has to melt this ice , so it turns back to air-conditioner operation in order to heat up the coils. The unit may also contain some sort of burner or an electric heater to heat this cold air. As soon as the ice is melted, the heat pump will switch back to heating, then turns off the electric heater or burner.

If you are experiencing heat pump problems — -Make a note of when the problem occurs: all the time? Or just intermittently? -Note what you see and hear: what is running, what is not? -Note the manufacturer, model and any add-ons -Call your service professional; tell them you are experiencing heat pump problems, how long it has been going on, and all other pertinent info gathered -NEVER attempt a DIY repair the unit yourself. You will NOT save money, may void your warranty, and possibly damage the unit or injure yourself.

Another great option for those using ground source heat pumps is to use it for heating hot water. Ground source heat pumps can be installed with an add-on device called a ‘desuperheater’ – this device partially heats your water. In summertime, when your air conditioner is running (and ground source heat pumps can double as air conditioners), the desuperheater will use some of the extra heat taken out by the air conditioning process to heat your hot water! So, in the summertime, your water will be heated for free! In wintertime, part of the heating power of ground source heat pump is used to heat the water. If, in your home, your ground source heat pump operates most of the time (especially to cool things off in the summer) you can save lots of $$ in heating your water. Truly, ground source heat pumps are a modern miracle of engineering!

While you cannot service your unit, there are some things you CAN do by way of preventive maintenance that will help prevent most heat pump problems: -Clean off the fan blades of the blower (if you can see them) -Tighten all mounting bolts if they are loose -Check for loose hoses or wires – notify a pro if you find any -If you have removable filters, check them regularly and clean or replace them as directed in your owner’s manual.

Who is the best person to call if you are experiencing heat pump problems? The person most knowledgeable about your system is the person/company who installed it.

Most manufacturers will not help you to directly resolve your heat pump problems, they will usually refer you to a qualified repair technician.

If you suspect that you have been sold a defective unit, or that it was not installed properly, you may contact your local state agency or federal consumer advocacy department for further assistance with your heat pump problems.

Consumer tips – -Use reliable contractors -Ask lots of questions -Before spending a lot of money, get 2 or 3 additional estimates

Learn How to Diagnose and Repair Heat Pump Problems

How Heat Pumps and Hot Water Systems Work

A heat pump uses refrigerant to collect heat outside in the winter and pump it indoors, releasing it where it can be distributed through the duct work of the home with the use of an air handler.

A hot water system heats water in a boiler – still called boilers though most of those currently manufactured don’t heat water to the boiling point. The water is then pumped through pipes to radiant floor systems, baseboard panels with heat exchangers or units more like traditional radiators. The heat from the circulating water radiates into the room to warm it.

Heat Pumps Cost Less than Hot Water Systems

In most cases, the equipment and installation cost less. Heat pumps require an outdoor unit called a condensing unit and an indoor air handler that contains the coil. In existing homes, the ductwork is usually already present. In new home construction, duct work is fairly affordable to install. Retrofitting a home with a hot water heating system can be very expensive, especially if in-floor tubing is to be installed.

Heat Pumps Are More Efficient than Hot Water Systems

Heat pumps are currently the most efficient type of heating system readily available throughout the country. They produce lower utility bills than either hot water systems that are powered by electricity or gas/propane. The reason for this is that the refrigerant in a heat pump multiplies the efficiency of the electricity used. For example, in an electric hot water system, each unit of electricity can produce up to one unit of heating, but never more than one. Most gas-powered systems are only 80% to 90% efficient.

In a heat pump system, that same unit of electricity can produce 2.5 to 4.0 units of heating, depending on the efficiency of the heat pump. That’s like saying they are 250% to 400% efficient. Heat pumps don’t heat with electricity. They pump refrigerant with electricity and the refrigerant collects and carries heat.

Heat Pumps Cost Less to Repair than Hot Water Systems

Hot water systems can be very costly to repair when pipe needs to be replaced or a floor has to be torn up to get to a leak. In addition, when a water leak isn’t caught quickly, the water can cause very expensive damage to flooring, walls and anything else it contacts.

Heat Pumps Heat and Cool

A heat pump is a central air conditioner that does double duty by reversing the flow and action of the refrigerant. With a hot water system, you will need a separate system for cooling your home, usually requiring the use of duct work and an air handler.

Heat Pump Advantages Increase Their Popularity

As you can see, heat pumps offer many advantages over a hot water heating system. These reasons account for the rapid rise in the use of heat pump HVAC systems throughout the country.

Four Advantages of Heat Pumps over Hot Water Heating

What features make heat pumps cost more? There are several that can significantly increase the cost of the system, though none of them are essential. Here are the 3 heat pump features that may increase the price.

The Use of a Variable Speed Blower with the System

If you choose an air handler with a variable speed blower, it can increase the cost by 15% to 20%. Two-stage and modulating heat pumps require the use of a variable speed blower in order to achieve the climate advantages the heat pump offers. For the extra expense of a variable speed air handler, you’ll enjoy more gentle heating and cooling with fewer temperature fluctuations. You’ll notice better balance throughout your home, and more humidity will be removed during each cooling cycle. Many homeowners consider it a benefit worth paying extra for.

The Higher the SEER Rating the More Expensive the Heat Pump Will Be

SEER rating is like gas mileage. It measures how efficiently the unit uses electricity while heating and cooling. The higher the SEER rating, or seasonal energy efficiency rating, the more efficient the unit is. Currently, the least efficient heat pumps are in the 13-14 SEER range while the most efficient have SEER ratings in the low to mid 20s. All else being equal, the cost of the units increase by 5% to 15% for each additional SEER point. A 20 SEER heat pump can easily cost 50% to 100% more than a 13 SEER model.

The advantage of a higher SEER rating is that the unit will use less electricity. Your heating and cooling bills can be lower by 50% or more. In warm climates, you may recoup the cost of a more efficient heat pump in just 2-5 years. Many homeowners choose higher efficiency models because they also cut down on greenhouse gas production, so are easier on the environment.

Some Brands of Heat Pump Cost More

The most popular heat pump brands often cost more. On average, Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Maytag, American Standard and a few others cost more throughout their product lineup than brands like Goodman, Amana, Coleman and Payne. A 2-stage, 16 SEER Carrier heat pump may cost 50% more than a 2-stage, 16 SEER Goodman, for example.

Some of the additional cost is simply the reputation that Carrier and other popular brands have, and the expense of their advertising budgets. However, a large part of the higher cost is also due to the high-quality parts the top brands use as well as the good service record most of them have.

Low Cost Heat Pumps

You can save money by purchasing a relatively inexpensive heat pump. Keep in mind that in very warm climates, an inefficient heat pump will lead to significantly higher utility bills. A single-stage heat pump with a single-speed blower won’t produce as comfortable a climate. And you may not get the top quality you do with the most expensive brands. One or more of these may be a trade-off you’re willing to make in order to cut down on the cost of the heat pump system you buy.

3 Features of Heat Pumps that May Increase the Price!