ServicesHeat Pumps
Heat Pumps in Liberty Lake
A heat pump heats your home in winter and cools it in summer with one outdoor unit. We size it to your house, set up backup heat for the coldest nights, and give you a written quote before any work begins. Plan it now and install on your schedule.
One System for Heating and Cooling
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. In summer it pulls heat out of your home like an AC. In winter it runs in reverse and pulls heat in from the outside air, even when it feels cold out there.
Older heat pumps gave up when temperatures dropped. Today's cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing, which matters on a January night in Liberty Lake. We still pair most systems with backup heat, either electric strips or your existing furnace, so you are never left short.
The best time to plan one is before something breaks. If your AC is aging or your furnace is near the end, we can look at both and tell you whether a heat pump makes sense for your home and your budget. Sometimes it does not, and we will say so.
What a Heat Pump Job Includes
Load calculation
We measure your rooms, check insulation and windows, and figure how much heat your home loses. That number sets the size. Too big and the system short-cycles. Too small and it runs nonstop in a cold snap.
Outdoor unit placement
We set the outdoor unit on a pad or wall bracket, raised off the ground so snow and ice do not block the coil. We keep it clear of roof drip lines and leave room to service it.
Indoor coil and air handler
We match the indoor side to the outdoor unit, or connect a new coil to your existing furnace for a dual-fuel setup. Matched equipment is what gets you the rated efficiency.
Thermostat and backup heat setup
We install a thermostat that knows how to run a heat pump and set the switchover point for backup heat. We show you how it works before we leave.
Permit and startup check
We pull the permit, charge the refrigerant to spec, and test heating and cooling modes. Then we clean up and haul away the old equipment.
Rebate and tax credit help
Avista rebates and federal tax credits can take a real bite out of the price. We sort out which ones fit your equipment, gather the model numbers you will need, and walk you through the filing so nothing gets missed.
Signs It Is Time to Look at a Heat Pump
Your AC is 12 or more years old
If the AC is due for replacement anyway, a heat pump costs a bit more and handles heating too. It is the easiest time to switch.
High winter heating bills
Homes on electric baseboard or older electric furnaces often pay the most to heat. A heat pump can do the same work with far less electricity.
Your heat pump blows cool air in heat mode
It may be stuck in defrost, low on refrigerant, or have a bad reversing valve. Call us before the cold settles in, not after.
Ice that will not clear
A light frost that melts off is normal. A coil that stays caked in ice for hours means a defrost problem.
Some rooms never get comfortable
Uneven heat can mean the system is the wrong size. We check sizing before suggesting anything new, and for a single room or addition we may point you to ductless mini-splits instead.
How We Plan and Install Your Heat Pump
- 1
Home visit and free estimate
We come out and check the system you have now, see whether your breaker panel has room for a new circuit, and find a good spot outside for the condenser. Estimates are free on installations and replacements.
- 2
Written quote with options
You get a written quote before any work begins. We usually lay out two or three equipment choices and explain what each one gets you in cold-weather performance and running cost.
- 3
Pick a date that suits you
Since you are planning ahead, you choose the install day. Spring and early fall are easiest, before you need heat or cooling.
- 4
The work itself
We put down drop cloths along our path through the house before any equipment comes in. A straight swap is often done by the end of the day, while a dual-fuel setup or a long line run can stretch into a second. We mount both units, wire the new circuit, connect the refrigerant lines, and keep testing heat and cooling until both run the way they should.
- 5
Walkthrough and rebate help
We show you the thermostat, the filter and what normal defrost looks like. Then we go over the rebate and tax credit paperwork with you.
What Moves the Cost of a Heat Pump
No two homes come out the same, so we price each job after we see it. The quote lists the equipment, labor and permit so you can compare it line by line. Rebates and tax credits can bring your final cost down, and we factor those in when you plan.
- Size and efficiency
- Bigger homes need more capacity. Cold-climate and variable-speed models cost more up front but heat better at low temperatures and use less power.
- Backup heat choice
- Keeping your gas furnace as backup changes the setup compared with adding electric heat strips. We explain both.
- Electrical work
- Some homes need a new breaker or panel upgrade to carry the heat pump. We check this at the estimate so it is not a surprise later.
- Placement and access
- A long line run from the outdoor unit, a wall bracket or a tight crawlspace all add labor.
- Timing
- Installing on a planned date in a mild month gives you the most choice of equipment and schedule.
Heat Pump Questions
Something not covered here? (509) 512-0539
Will a heat pump keep my home warm in a real cold snap?
A cold-climate model keeps heating well below freezing. On the very coldest nights, backup heat kicks in to help. We set that switchover point so you stay warm without wasting energy.
Can I keep my gas furnace?
Yes. Many homeowners go dual-fuel, where the heat pump handles most of the year and the furnace takes over in deep cold. It is a good fit if your furnace still has years left in it.
What rebates can I get?
Usually two kinds. Your utility, Avista, runs rebate programs for qualifying equipment, and the federal government offers tax credits on certain heat pumps. Amounts and rules shift from year to year, so we check what applies when we write your quote and help you with the claim.
How long does a heat pump last?
Most run 12 to 15 years with yearly service. Because it works in both seasons, regular tune-ups matter more than with an AC alone. Our maintenance plans cover that.
Is it normal for steam to come off the outdoor unit in winter?
Yes. That is the defrost cycle melting frost off the coil. It runs a few minutes and stops. If ice builds up and stays, give us a call.
Start Planning Your Heat Pump
Tell us about your home and your current system. We will come out, look it over, and give you a written quote with rebate help included.