A heat pump heats and cools a home with the same equipment, by moving heat instead of making it. Mr. Air helps homeowners work out whether a heat pump fits, then handles the installation.
In cooling mode a heat pump behaves like a conventional air conditioner, pulling heat out of the house and releasing it outdoors. In heating mode the refrigerant cycle runs in reverse, collecting heat from outdoor air and delivering it inside. Because it moves heat rather than burning fuel to create it, a heat pump can deliver more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes.
Most residential heat pumps are air-source systems, with an outdoor unit and an indoor air handler connected to ducts. Ductless mini-split versions serve individual rooms or additions without ductwork. Ground-source systems exist as well, with a different installation scope entirely.
Our heat pump versus furnace comparison goes deeper on the tradeoffs.
Heat pump technology has improved considerably in recent years, particularly for colder conditions, but performance still varies a lot between models. That is why the specifics of the equipment matter more than the general category.
A heat pump can suit many homes, but fit depends on a few things you should discuss before deciding.
Sizing is calculated from the house, not from the old unit. Insulation, windows, air leakage, orientation and duct design all influence the load, and an oversized system cycles inefficiently while an undersized one struggles on the hardest days. A reputable installer calculates the load rather than matching the nameplate of whatever was there before.
Installation includes the outdoor unit placement, refrigerant lines, electrical connections, condensate handling, the indoor air handler or furnace coil, controls and commissioning. The refrigerant work must be done by certified technicians.
New residential heat pumps are moving to a newer class of lower-warming refrigerants. The refrigerant phase-down guide explains what is changing in general terms.
A good installation ends with commissioning: verifying refrigerant charge, measuring airflow, testing heating, cooling and defrost modes, and walking you through the thermostat. Ask what is checked and recorded before the installer leaves.
Permits and inspections may be required for HVAC work, and requirements differ by state and local jurisdiction. Ask the installer how permits are handled for your home.
Heat pumps carry two efficiency ratings under the current federal test: SEER2 for cooling and HSPF2 for heating. Higher numbers mean less electricity for the same output, and we cover both in SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings explained.
The federal energy efficient home improvement tax credit that applied to heat pumps was set to end for property placed in service after December 31, 2025, under a 2025 law. Because incentive programs change and vary by utility and location, confirm what is current with a tax professional and your utility before counting on any amount. We do not promise incentives.
A heat pump runs through both seasons, so it gets more hours than a standalone air conditioner or furnace. Filter changes, a clean outdoor coil and clear space around the unit all matter. A yearly service visit, described in what a tune-up includes, is worth considering, and our maintenance plans are designed for that.
To start the conversation, choose New system quote on the request form.
Operating a heat pump efficiently also depends on how you use the thermostat. Large temperature swings can trigger backup heat, so steady settings generally work better than big overnight setbacks. Your installer should explain how your particular controls handle this.
In many homes, yes. A heat pump provides cooling and heating from one system, though some installations keep or add backup heat. A technician can assess whether it suits your house.
They do, and models designed for colder conditions exist. Output declines as temperatures drop, so ask how a specific model performs in your conditions and how backup heat is handled.
SEER2 rates cooling efficiency and HSPF2 rates heating efficiency for heat pumps. Both come from the federal test procedure that took effect in 2023, and higher is better.
The federal credit for qualifying heat pumps was scheduled to end after 2025. Programs change, so check with a tax professional and your utility for what applies now.
Tell us what your system is doing and we will follow up with next steps.