Heat Pump Installation Costs

Installing a heat pump is an effective solution for heating (and cooling). With modern technology, many people opt to go this route to replace their furnace and air conditioning unit. Like a central air unit, the pump itself is installed outside the home and then piping and wiring connect it to your existing furnace or HVAC system. The cost of heat pump installation varies significantly depending on the size and type of system that you use and how difficult the installation process is going to be.

A single-room heat pump is fairly affordable, while whole-house units are going to be more expensive. Another option is whether you want to install a geothermal pump, which costs more because it is installed in the ground, so excavation and other work is required. Ultimately, however, a properly installed heat pump can reduce heating and cooling costs quite drastically over time, making the installation costs worth it for most people.

Heat pump installation: by source system.

Other considerations and costs

• The size of the unit and its energy rating are important. Not only will these impact price, but they will affect how well the system works in your home. Choosing a more expensive energy-saving system now may save you more in the long run.
• While single-room heat pumps are available, they are not a common installation option. These projects can usually be done for about ¼ of the cost of a whole-house installation, depending on the size and model of heat pump chosen.
• Additional wiring and plumbing that may be required for these units are not included in this cost estimate. If you need any additional work outside of the standard installation process, this will incur an additional charge (such as upgrading your electrical panel or running new wiring to connect to an existing system)
• If labor costs are calculated on an hourly basis, it should take a professional installer between 10 and 14 hours to install a heat pump system, depending on its complexity and size. Some companies charge hourly labor, while others have job rates for common projects like heat pump installation.

DIY considerations

• Installing a heat pump requires extensive knowledge of HVAC systems, electrical wiring, and refrigerant. Therefore, this is not suited for DIY work.
• You may be able to reduce your materials costs by purchasing your own heat pump and accessories from a local home improvement store or online retailer. Just make sure to choose reputable products and get all of the hardware and additional parts that you need for proper installation.

References

• Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2019.
• Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
• Literature review of DIY Web sites.