A heat pump is the most efficient heating and cooling system available for the Pacific Northwest climate. Where a gas furnace delivers roughly 0.95 units of heat for every unit of fuel consumed, a modern heat pump delivers 3 to 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed by moving heat from outside air into the home rather than generating heat from combustion. For the mild Eastside climate, where winter low temperatures rarely fall below 25°F and summer cooling demand is increasing year over year, a single heat pump replaces both furnace and central AC with a single system that runs cleaner, costs less to operate, and qualifies for substantial PSE and federal rebates.
We install central heat pumps, ductless mini-split systems, and hybrid heat pump systems that pair with existing gas furnaces. Every installation includes a Manual J load calculation, manufacturer-specific commissioning, refrigerant charging by weight, and the dedicated electrical work to power the system properly. We are one of the few contractors on the Eastside that performs both the HVAC and the electrical work in-house — which means one accountable team for the entire project rather than coordinating between three subs.
Why a Heat Pump Is the Right HVAC Choice for the Eastside
The economic and operational case for heat pumps in Western Washington is unusually strong. Four factors stack together:
The climate is nearly ideal for heat pump operation
Heat pumps work by transferring heat between outdoor air and indoor air. Their efficiency is highest at moderate outdoor temperatures and declines gradually as temperatures fall. The Greater Eastside spends nearly all of the heating season between 30°F and 55°F outdoor temperature — exactly the range where heat pumps deliver their best efficiency. Cold-climate models maintain rated heating capacity down to 5°F or lower, which means even the coldest week of an unusual Eastside winter is within the operating envelope of any modern heat pump.
PSE electricity is among the cleanest in the country
Puget Sound Energy's grid is dominated by hydroelectric generation, with substantial wind and solar additions and a declining share of natural gas. This makes the carbon intensity of heat pump operation in Western Washington far lower than the same operation in regions powered primarily by coal or natural gas. Heat pump emissions on the Eastside are a fraction of equivalent gas furnace emissions even before accounting for the higher operating efficiency.
Rebates and tax credits stack significantly
PSE offers rebates for qualifying heat pump installations, the federal Inflation Reduction Act Section 25C provides a 30% tax credit up to $2,000 for qualifying heat pumps, and Washington state programs add further savings for income-qualified households. A typical Eastside heat pump installation can stack $3,000 to $7,000 in combined savings against the gross installation cost. We file all rebate paperwork on your behalf as part of the installation.
One system replaces two
A heat pump heats in winter and cools in summer using the same outdoor unit and the same indoor air handler or ductless heads. Homes that previously had a gas furnace and a separate central AC condenser now operate from a single coordinated system — fewer points of failure, simpler maintenance, one thermostat.
The honest case against
If you have a relatively new high-efficiency gas furnace (less than 8 years old) and natural gas service at low rates, replacing the furnace solely on operating-cost grounds may not pencil out for several years. A heat pump still makes sense for the cooling capability and rebate eligibility, but the financial payoff is slower than for a home replacing an older or end-of-life furnace. We say this honestly during the site visit rather than pushing a replacement that does not benefit you.
Central Heat Pump versus Ductless Mini-Split
The two main heat pump categories suit different homes.
Central (ducted) heat pumps
A central heat pump pairs an outdoor unit (containing the compressor and the outdoor coil) with an indoor air handler (containing the indoor coil and the blower) that connects to the home's existing ductwork. One thermostat controls the entire system. This is the right answer for homes with existing ductwork in reasonable condition — typically homes that previously had a gas furnace and central AC, or an older central heat pump being replaced.
Sizing ranges from 1.5 tons for small homes up to 5 tons for large homes. Most Eastside homes fall in the 2.5 to 4 ton range. Sizing is determined by Manual J load calculation, which considers home square footage, insulation levels, window area and orientation, air leakage, and occupancy — not by the size of the old system or by rules of thumb.
Ductless mini-split heat pumps
A ductless mini-split pairs one outdoor unit with one or more indoor heads mounted on interior walls. Each head independently heats and cools its zone, controlled by its own thermostat or by a central controller. This is the right answer for homes without existing ductwork (electric baseboard or radiant homes), for additions and ADUs, for finished basements and bonus rooms, and for sunrooms with extreme heating and cooling loads.
Configurations range from single-zone (one outdoor unit, one indoor head) up to 8-zone systems with one outdoor unit serving multiple rooms. Each indoor head is sized for its specific room load.
Hybrid heat pump systems
A hybrid system pairs a heat pump with an existing gas furnace, using the heat pump for normal operation and the gas furnace as backup heat on the coldest days. The hybrid configuration is appropriate when the gas furnace is relatively new and you want to keep it as a backup, when you want to reduce gas consumption without eliminating it, or when the home has uniquely high heating loads. Most new Eastside installations no longer use hybrid configurations because modern cold-climate heat pumps handle the entire Eastside heating season unassisted.
Brands We Install
Mitsubishi Electric. Industry leader in inverter and cold-climate technology. The H2i Hyper-Heating line maintains 100% rated capacity at 5°F and produces useful heat to -13°F. Strongest choice for ductless and ducted applications where premium performance and quiet operation matter.
Daikin / Goodman. Daikin owns Goodman; the two brands use shared compressor and inverter technology at different price points. Daikin Fit and Daikin One+ systems offer excellent variable-speed performance. Goodman provides solid mid-tier value.
Carrier / Bryant. Carrier-engineered systems with strong reliability records and extensive parts availability. Greenspeed Intelligence variable-speed systems compete directly with Mitsubishi at the high end.
Trane. XV20i and XV18 variable-speed systems with industry-leading reliability ratings. Premium tier choice for homeowners prioritizing longevity over up-front cost.
Bosch IDS. Single-vendor inverter system with strong cold-climate performance and a competitive price point. Growing market share on the Eastside.
What's Included in a Standard Installation
Our flat-rate quotes include:
- Site visit, Manual J load calculation, refrigerant line evaluation, electrical evaluation, and written flat-rate quote
- Mechanical (HVAC) permit and electrical permit, pulled by us
- Removal of the existing system (furnace, AC, or old heat pump) and proper refrigerant recovery per EPA requirements
- Installation of the new heat pump outdoor unit on a level pad with appropriate clearance and snow stand if needed
- Installation of the matched indoor air handler (for central systems) or indoor heads (for ductless)
- New refrigerant line set sized and pressure-tested for leaks before charging
- Refrigerant charge by weight per manufacturer specification (not by guess or by gauge pressure alone)
- New disconnect and dedicated electrical circuit sized to the unit, with appropriate breaker
- Smart thermostat installation and configuration (Ecobee, Nest, or manufacturer-specific)
- Condensate management — drain pan, condensate pump if needed, p-trap
- System commissioning including airflow verification, refrigerant subcooling and superheat verification, and heating and cooling mode confirmation
- PSE rebate paperwork filed on your behalf
- Federal IRA Section 25C tax credit documentation provided for your tax filing
- Final inspections (mechanical and electrical) coordinated with the appropriate jurisdiction
- Owner walkthrough covering thermostat operation, filter replacement, and warranty registration
- One-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer parts warranty (typically 10 years)
Heat Pump Pricing on the Eastside
Ranges below reflect typical Eastside residential conditions before rebates. Final flat-rate pricing follows the site visit.
| Configuration | Typical range (gross) |
|---|---|
| 2.5–3 ton single-stage central heat pump (existing ducts) | $11,500 – $14,500 |
| 3–4 ton two-stage central heat pump (existing ducts) | $13,500 – $17,500 |
| 3–4 ton variable-speed central heat pump (premium) | $16,000 – $22,000 |
| Cold-climate inverter system (Mitsubishi H2i or equivalent) | $18,000 – $24,000 |
| Single-zone ductless mini-split | $4,500 – $7,500 |
| 3–4 zone ductless mini-split system | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| Hybrid heat pump (paired with existing furnace) | $8,500 – $13,500 |
Subtract typical combined PSE rebates and federal tax credits of $3,000 to $7,000 from the gross figures above to estimate net cost after incentives. We file rebate paperwork on your behalf; the federal tax credit is claimed by you on your tax return using the documentation we provide.
For a detailed breakdown of available rebates and tax credits for 2026, see our article: Heat Pump Rebates in Washington for 2026.
Permit and Inspection Process
A heat pump installation requires a mechanical permit (for the HVAC equipment) and an electrical permit (for the dedicated circuit). Both are pulled by us through the appropriate authority — WA L&I in unincorporated areas, or the city electrical and mechanical inspection program in cities that operate their own (Bellevue, for example).
The inspector verifies refrigerant line sizing, electrical disconnect placement and clearances, condensate drainage, and combustion-product separation if a gas furnace remains in a hybrid configuration. First-pass inspection is the norm when the installation is performed correctly.
Installation Timeline
A typical central heat pump replacement on existing ducts:
- Quote acceptance and 50% deposit. Day 0.
- Equipment ordered. Lead time typically 5–10 business days for standard equipment, 2–4 weeks for premium variable-speed systems.
- Permit filed. Days 1–7.
- Installation day(s). Day of equipment arrival or shortly after. Central system replacement is typically 1–2 days. Ductless multi-zone systems are typically 2–4 days.
- Commissioning and walkthrough. Same day as installation completion.
- Final inspection. Typically 1–2 weeks after installation.
- Rebate paperwork filed. Within 30 days of installation completion.
- Final payment. After commissioning and successful inspection.
What Sets Our Installations Apart
Three practices that are uncommon but standard for us:
Manual J load calculations on every install. Most contractors use rules of thumb (square feet per ton). We use ACCA Manual J, which considers the actual heat gain and loss characteristics of your specific home. The result is correctly sized equipment that runs at the right capacity, the right cycle length, and the right humidity control.
Refrigerant charged by weight, not by gauge. Industry best practice is to weigh the refrigerant in. Many contractors skip this step and charge by pressure gauges alone, which produces an overcharged or undercharged system. We weigh the refrigerant on every install.
Combustion air, drainage, and electrical clearances all verified before commissioning. Inspectors verify these at final inspection, but we verify them at completion of installation, well before the inspector arrives. Inspection failures are rare for our work.
Get a Heat Pump Quote
Call 425-900-3610 or use the contact form to schedule a free in-home heat pump evaluation. The site visit takes 60 to 90 minutes and includes Manual J load calculation, equipment selection, rebate eligibility verification, and a written flat-rate quote within 48 hours.