Heat Pumps in Colfax

Heating and cooling from a single unit

A heat pump doesn't burn anything to make heat. It moves heat that already exists. In summer it pulls warmth out of your rooms and sends it outside, just like an air conditioner. In winter it runs the other way, collecting heat from the outdoor air and bringing it in. Current cold-climate models keep working well below freezing, so plenty of homes can lean on one most of the year.

It's worth a look if your AC is aging, if you want to burn less propane or oil or run less electric baseboard heat, or if you'd rather maintain one system than two. If you already have a gas furnace, we can pair the two as a dual-fuel setup, with the furnace taking over on the coldest nights. Since we hold a gas heating mechanical license, we can service both sides of that system.

A running outdoor unit doesn't mean we're done. We come back after the install, see how the system does in normal day-to-day use, and show you the few simple habits that keep it in good shape for years.

What our heat pump work includes

Sizing for your actual home

We look at square footage, insulation, windows and how your rooms heat and cool today. A heat pump that's too large short-cycles. One that's too small struggles on cold mornings. Getting the size right matters more than the brand.

A written quote before any work begins

You see the equipment, the labor and any electrical or permit items line by line. Estimates are free on installations and replacements.

Dual-fuel and backup heat setup

We set the balance point where the system hands off from the heat pump to your furnace or backup strips, so you aren't paying for backup heat when the heat pump can do the job.

Rebate and tax credit help

Avista rebates and the federal tax credit for heat pumps come with forms, model numbers and fine print. We sort out what your equipment qualifies for and help you get the claims filed.

Heat pump repair

Iced-over coils that won't clear, reversing valves stuck in one mode, failed defrost boards, refrigerant leaks and capacitors. We find the cause and explain it before fixing anything.

A follow-up visit

Once the system has run for a while, we check back, confirm temperatures and defrost cycles look right, and answer the questions that come up from living with it day to day.

When a heat pump makes sense, or needs a repair

• An air conditioner on its last legs

  When a 12- to 15-year-old AC needs an expensive fix, swapping it for a heat pump gets you cooling and efficient heating from a single install.

• Costly propane or baseboard heat

  Delivered fuel and electric resistance heat cost a lot to run. A heat pump usually warms the same rooms for clearly less money.

• Heavy ice that stays put

  Some winter frost is expected, and the unit clears it on its own. A thick sheet of ice covering the outdoor coil signals trouble with defrost or airflow.

• Cool air in heating mode

  Lukewarm air from the vents while set to heat can trace back to the reversing valve, the refrigerant charge or a sensor.

• Auxiliary heat that never shuts off

  If the aux heat light stays lit on mild days too, the heat pump isn't doing its share, and your bill will reflect it.

How a heat pump job goes

1. 1

   A call and a home visit

   You tell us what's going on by phone, and we set a time to come out. For a new system we measure, look at your electrical panel and talk through where the outdoor unit will sit.

2. 2

   Your written quote

   We go over the options in plain terms, including whether dual-fuel makes sense for your home and which equipment qualifies for rebates. Nothing starts until you've approved it.

3. 3

   Install day

   We protect floors, set the outdoor unit on a level pad clear of snow line and drip edges, run the line set and wiring, and connect the indoor side. We pull the permit where one is needed and clean up before we leave.

4. 4

   Startup and walkthrough

   We charge and test the system in both modes, set the thermostat, and show you the filter, the outdoor clearances and what normal defrost looks and sounds like.

5. 5

   We check back

   After you've run it for a while we follow up to confirm it's performing and to help with the rebate paperwork if anything is still open.

What sets the price of a heat pump

Houses vary, so we price a job after we've looked at it. The written quote lists every item, and rebates and tax credits can bring your final cost down. These are the biggest factors.

Capacity and efficiency

Bigger units and variable-speed, cold-climate models cost more at the start and typically less to operate over the winter.

Electrical work

Some houses need an added circuit or an upgraded panel to run a heat pump. We check your panel during the first visit and put any electrical work on the quote, so it's known up front.

What's already in the house

Tying into a working gas furnace, swapping out an aging air handler or taking out an old AC unit each changes the size of the job.

Location and reach

Lengthy line set runs, wall brackets or cramped spots around the home take more labor.

Permits and rebate rules

Permit costs and the equipment standards a rebate program sets both shape the final pick.