The Heat Pump Installation Process: What Homeowners Need to Know
Table of Contents
Summary
A heat pump is the most efficient and effective HVAC solution for homeowners who want to save money on their heating bills while also investing in an environmentally friendly and low-footprint technology. The heat pump installation process can seem like a major undertaking, but it is one of the best options on the market today, especially if you choose a skilled installer. This complete guide will help demystify the installation process and show just how convenient having a heat pump can be.
What Is the Heat Pump Installation Process?
Before the actual heat pump installation process starts, it’s crucial to have consultations with multiple ductless heat pump installers to find the right crew for the job. Usually, two to five consultations and estimates are ideal.
Your chosen crew will then need access to the interior and exterior of your home to take measurements and determine the ideal indoor and outdoor locations for each unit. They’ll also determine whether a ductless or ducted system is best for your home. As the homeowner, you’ll need to clear any locations where the installers plan to mount the new units.
On installation day, the crew will mount brackets and/or install platform pads to hold your units. Then they’ll make room to run wires and refrigerant between the interior and exterior locations. Finally, they’ll mount the units and hook them up to your electrical system. Afterward, they’ll ensure the system is functioning properly before leaving you to enjoy your new HVAC system.
Stages of Heat Pump Installation
Site Assessment and Sizing
To get maximum efficiency out of your heat pump, it’s important to pay special attention to this stage of the heat pump installation process. How large your system needs to be to properly heat your home depends on how many joules of energy it takes to heat your home by a certain amount. This is known as your home’s J load. Your contractor should perform a Manual J load calculation to determine the right size heat pump for your situation1.
If the unit is too big or too small, it won’t heat and cool properly, and it will use energy less efficiently. The installation site also makes a difference. A heat pump installed too far from key rooms or in an area without proper space and ventilation won’t work as well as it should.
Preparing Your Home for Installation
You’ll need to prepare your home for installation before your contractors can begin work. In some instances, this is as simple as clearing the areas where the heat pump will be installed. However, you might also need to install new ductwork, prepare the old system for integration in a hybrid HVAC system, or have other upgrades made to the home. Take care of these steps beforehand for a smooth heat pump installation process.
Your contractor may also recommend weatherizing your house to maximize efficiency. This is especially likely if your home is drafty. If your home isn’t properly optimized for heat pump use, you could end up spending more on your electric bill and wasting energy2. Weatherization helps keep your home properly heated and cooled, and it may also help you qualify for heat pump incentives and rebates that will make your system much more affordable.
Removing the Old System
You’ll also need to oversee the removal of your old HVAC system if you aren’t keeping it for a backup or hybrid system. The heat pump installation team may be able to do this work, or you may need to hire outside specialists.
This process is especially important because disconnecting an HVAC system from its electrical source is delicate work that is unsafe if not done by a professional. In addition, many HVAC systems utilize toxic or dangerous refrigerants that must be disposed of properly during the decommissioning process.
Installing the New Heat Pump
When your installers choose where to mount both the indoor and outdoor units, they do so carefully and intentionally. The indoor unit needs to be clear of obstructions like shelving, foot traffic, and doorways, so it may be placed higher up on an unused wall. The unit should also be out of the way of direct sunlight and other heat sources.
The outdoor unit needs to be properly supported and visually pleasing while also unobstructed by trees and bushes.
The heat pump installation process will also include new line sets to transfer coolant between the indoor and outdoor units. New wiring to hook the units up to the electrical system may be necessary. This will be one of the last steps in the process.
If your new HVAC unit uses the ductwork of the old unit, or if you’re maintaining a hybrid system using both a heat pump and another HVAC system, your contractors will need to properly integrate them and ensure they work together without any issues.
Testing, Commissioning, and Clean-Up
In the final stages of the heat pump installation process, the contractors will test the system and change its settings to match what’s appropriate for your home. This process is known as commissioning. Testing the system ensures all electrical connections are solid and functional, all line sets are properly laid, and the heat pump is prepared to function as expected mechanically.
Once that’s squared away, the contractors adjust all settings to ensure the system is operating according to the home’s needs. This includes programming in the home’s parameters, setting the temperature, and measuring airflow (and, of course, readjusting as needed).
Afterward, the installer should walk you through the work they’ve done and show you how everything works. This final explanation gives homeowners a chance to ask questions and make any last-minute adjustments before the project is considered complete.
How Long Does Heat Pump Installation Take?
The length of time an installation lasts depends on numerous factors, but it typically takes a couple of days. For smaller projects, such as small homes or single-zone installations, it’s possible to complete the whole process in one day. However, larger homes and spaces that require multiple units will take longer. Most projects top out at three days, but especially large and complex jobs may take up to five days.
Why Hire a Professional for Heat Pump Installation?
Heat pumps are a relatively new technology, and they’re still being perfected. They also have different requirements for installation than other traditional heating methods.
The heat pump installation process is more complicated and less well-documented than other methods, so it is not suitable for DIY work. The project can be unsafe for amateurs, and an improperly installed heat pump can be less efficient and more expensive to operate.
Hiring a professional greatly decreases the risk of injury and the risk of an incorrect installation. Professionals are also able to ensure your new HVAC system complies with local and state codes. Since buying heat pump units can be expensive, it’s best to protect your investment by working with a bonded and insured contractor.
Heat Pump Installation Costs and Incentives
The most influential factors in a heat pump system’s price are the size of the home and the complexity of the job. Generally, single- and double-zone installations are the cheapest and easiest, and homes that require more units or more complex units cost more.
On the surface, heat pumps are typically more expensive than HVAC systems like furnaces. The average cost for a heat pump installation is around $16,500, after applying state and federal tax credits and incentives3. Your home may cost more or less than that number depending on location, home size, and heating needs. The federal government offers an energy-efficient home improvement credit of up to $3,2004, while state and city credits vary wildly and may be between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars5.
Ready for a Heat Pump? Find Expert Heat Pump Installation Near You
When you’re ready to make the exciting upgrade to the most energy- and cost-efficient heating and cooling solution on the market, you can trust Ridgeline Heating and Cooling to get the job done right.
Our Mitsubishi Electric Elite Diamond Contractors™ aren’t just experienced heat pump installation experts; they’re also fully equipped to help you take advantage of every available tax incentive.
Contact us online or by phone at (518) 694-6967 to request an estimate.
FAQ
What is involved in a heat pump installation?
There’s a lot involved in the heat pump installation process! At its most basic, the process involves scouting the perfect location for the new heat pump, removing and properly disposing of the previous system, and mounting and installing the new indoor and outdoor units.
What can I expect during a heat pump installation?
Homeowners don’t need to do much during the heat pump installation process. Before the contractor arrives, you will need to clear their work areas and ensure your home is weatherized and prepared. Once that’s done, the work is all in the installers’ hands. The duration of the project will depend on the complexity of the system, but it typically only lasts for a few days.
Can I install a heat pump myself?
Installing a heat pump by yourself isn’t recommended. The system needs to be carefully placed and installed for safety, and then it needs to be tested and commissioned to ensure proper functioning and efficiency. This work is best left to a professional with specific experience in heat pump installation.
How long does it take to install a heat pump?
Installing a heat pump takes between one and five days, depending on the complexity of the system and the number of units being installed. Most single- and dual-zone systems can be installed within a day and a half. Large houses and office buildings will take more time.
What is the 20-degree rule for heat pumps?
The 20-degree rule is a general rule of thumb for how to most efficiently heat and cool a home. It posits that homeowners should always try to keep the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures as close to 20 degrees as possible6.
If it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit outside, you shouldn’t keep your home much cooler than 70. And if it’s 50 degrees outside, you shouldn’t keep your home much warmer than 70. As temperatures dip lower, it’s not always feasible to maintain only a 20-degree difference, but heat pumps are still able to function with these wider gaps. You may lose some efficiency, though.
How much does a heat pump typically cost for a 2,000-square-foot house?
Installing a heat pump in a 2,000-square-foot house in upstate New York can exceed $20,000 before incentives and rebates; this is slightly above the average heat pump installation cost3. This includes at least two heating and cooling zones and multiple indoor units.
Sources
- Rames, D. (19 July 2023). 10 best practices for installing heat pumps. PMCE Magazine. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.pmmag.com/articles/104999-10-best-practices-for-installing-heat-pumps
- Dunn, Thom. (2 July 2025). A Heat Pump Might Be Right for Your Home. Here’s Everything to Know. New York Times. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/guides/heat-pump-buying-guide/
- McCabe, L. (28 Oct 2025). How much does a heat pump cost in 2025? EnergySage. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.energysage.com/heat-pumps/costs-and-benefits-air-source-heat-pumps/
- Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. IRS.gov. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit
- McCabe, L. (12 Nov 2025). Heat pump incentives: Save big on clean HVAC. EnergySage. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.energysage.com/heat-pumps/heat-pump-incentives/
- Andersen, I. and Pospisil, K. (25 March 2025). When Is the Best Time to Replace My Heat Pump? Modernize Home Services. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://modernize.com/homeowner-resources/hvac/best-time-to-replace-heat-pump