Heat pump installation that starts with your home
Every heat pump installation we plan starts with a walk-through of the house, not a product brochure. We look at the rooms that never feel right, the heating system you have today, the ductwork (if there is any) and where indoor and outdoor units could realistically go.
Massachusetts winters matter here. A cold-climate heat pump has to keep up on the coldest nights of the year, so we choose equipment based on how your home actually holds heat, not on the size printed on the old unit or a headline efficiency rating.
Ducted, ductless mini split or a mix of both?
Ducted heat pumps
If your home already has ductwork in reasonable shape, or has room for new ducts, a ducted heat pump can heat and cool the whole house through vents. We check the existing ducts first instead of assuming they can be reused.
Ductless mini splits
A ductless mini split heat pump serves rooms through individual wall, ceiling or floor units. It's a common fit for additions, finished attics, homes without ducts and rooms the main system never reaches.
Combined layouts
Plenty of homes end up with both: a ducted system for the main floors and a mini split for the room over the garage. We lay it out around how you use each space and how much equipment you're comfortable seeing.
What a complete heat pump installation includes
A good proposal shows the whole job, not just the equipment. It should cover where each unit goes, refrigerant lines, condensate drainage, thermostats and controls, and any changes to your ducts.
It should also be clear about electrical work, removal of old equipment and any patching, so installation day holds no surprises. Planning to keep your boiler or furnace as backup heat? Tell us up front and we'll set up the controls so both systems work together.
See our heat pump installation projects
Take a look at our Hudson heat pump installation and Newton heat pump installation. Every house is different, so treat these as examples of how we work, not a preset package.
Discuss My Heat Pump Project
Living with a heat pump through a Massachusetts winter
Most questions we hear about heat pumps come down to one thing: will it keep the house warm in January? Here's what makes the difference.
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Sized for the cold, not the brochure
A cold-climate heat pump is rated for low outdoor temperatures, but the right size still depends on your house. Insulation, windows and drafty rooms all change how much heat you need on the coldest night.
- 02
Backup heat, if you want it
Some homeowners keep a boiler or furnace for the deepest cold snaps. Others go all-electric. Either way, the controls decide when each system runs, so we set them up as part of the installation.
- 03
Steady settings work best
Heat pumps tend to work best holding a steady temperature rather than recovering from big overnight setbacks. We'll walk you through the thermostat or remote so you know how to run it.
- 04
A little winter care
The outdoor unit needs clear airflow, so keep snow and ice from piling up around it. Some steam on a cold day is normal: that's the unit defrosting itself.
Heat pump installation questions
Do I have to remove my existing heating system?
No. Some homeowners keep their boiler or furnace as backup heat, and others replace it entirely. We'll talk through both options and how each one affects your controls and any incentive requirements.
Will I need an electrical upgrade?
Sometimes. It depends on the equipment you choose and your home's electrical panel. We check capacity during the estimate so it's part of the plan from the start.
How much does heat pump installation cost?
It depends on the number of zones, ducted or ductless equipment, access, electrical work and removal of old equipment. That's why you get a written estimate for your home instead of a ballpark from someone else's.
Can I get a rebate?
Possibly. Massachusetts rebate programs have rules about the property and the equipment installed, and we'll go over what needs to be checked. Sending this form doesn't confirm eligibility or reserve funding.
