ServicesHeat Pumps
Heat Pumps in Hayden
One outdoor unit handles both jobs: steady warmth through the winter and cooling through the summer. We size the system to your home, mount it where snow and ice can't bury it, and test every connection before we leave, so it runs quietly for years.
One system for heating and cooling
A heat pump doesn't burn anything. It moves heat. In summer it pulls warmth out of your home and sends it outdoors, the same job an air conditioner does. Once the weather turns, a reversing valve flips the direction, and the system draws heat out of the outdoor air and delivers it inside, even on chilly days. Modern cold-climate models keep working well into the single digits, and a backup heat source covers the extra load during the hardest cold snaps.
Most heat pump trouble we see traces back to the install, not the equipment. A line set brazed without nitrogen leaves scale inside the copper. A unit sitting on the ground gets packed in snow and ice. Thermostat settings that call for backup heat too early drive up the power bill. We pay attention to those small details because they decide how long your system lasts and what it costs to run.
What our heat pump work includes
A load calculation for your house
We look at square footage, windows, insulation and how your rooms actually feel before choosing a size. An oversized unit short-cycles and wears out early. An undersized one leans on backup heat all winter.
Clean, sealed refrigerant lines
We braze copper joints with nitrogen flowing through them so no scale forms inside. Then we pressure test and pull a deep vacuum, checking with a micron gauge, before any refrigerant goes in.
An outdoor unit set above the snow
The unit sits on a raised stand or wall bracket so defrost water drains freely and snow doesn't block the coil. We point the drainage away from walkways so you don't get an ice patch by the door.
Charge set by measurement
We confirm the refrigerant charge with superheat and subcooling readings, not a guess. A correct charge is what gets you the efficiency printed on the box.
Thermostat and backup heat setup
We set when backup heat kicks in and show you how the system behaves in defrost mode, so a puff of steam outside doesn't worry you.
Repairs and tune-ups
For an existing heat pump, we diagnose defrost problems, reversing valve failures, weak capacity and refrigerant leaks. You see the repair price in writing and approve it before we touch anything.
Signs it's time to look at a heat pump
High heating bills
If electric baseboards or an older furnace are costing more each winter, a heat pump can usually heat the same rooms with far less energy.
An air conditioner on its last legs
If your AC is old and due to be replaced anyway, putting in a heat pump instead gets you the same summer cooling plus efficient winter heat, usually with little added work.
Backup heat running constantly
If your current heat pump's auxiliary heat light stays on most of the day, something is off. It could be a low charge, a bad sensor or a unit that was never sized right.
A coil buried in ice
A thin white layer on the outdoor coil during winter is expected, and the unit melts it off on its own every so often. When the coil stays packed in solid ice for hours, the defrost controls or the airflow need attention.
Lukewarm air from the vents
Air that feels cool in heating mode, or warm in cooling mode, often means a stuck reversing valve or a refrigerant issue that is worth catching early.
How a heat pump install goes
- 1
We come out and look first
There's no charge for an estimate on an installation or replacement. We walk through your home, find a good spot for the outdoor unit and talk through your options and efficiency levels.
- 2
Your quote, in writing
Before anything is scheduled, you have the equipment, materials and labor spelled out on paper. We also note which models qualify for rebates.
- 3
Install day
We cover floors where we walk, set the outdoor unit and run the line set, brazing under nitrogen. Wall penetrations get sealed against drafts and pests, and outdoor lines get a protective cover.
- 4
Testing and walkthrough
We pressure test, vacuum, charge by measurement and run the system in both heating and cooling. Then we show you the thermostat, clean up and haul away the old equipment.
How heat pump jobs are priced
Every home installs differently, so there is no price list for heat pumps. The size and type of system and the labor a clean install needs count the most. We also help you claim Avista rebates and federal tax credits on heat pumps, which can bring the total down noticeably.
- Size and model tier
- Larger homes need more capacity. Variable-speed and cold-climate units cost more, but they hold their heat output on frigid nights and run quieter.
- The indoor side
- Using your current furnace as backup costs less than a new indoor unit. For some homes, ductless mini-splits are the better fit.
- Line runs and unit location
- More distance between the indoor and outdoor units, or a wall that is hard to get to, means more material and more labor.
- Panel and wiring
- The outdoor unit might need its own circuit or a new disconnect at the panel.
Common heat pump questions
Something not covered here? (208) 834-9366
Can a heat pump keep my home warm through a hard freeze?
Cold-climate models go on making heat far below freezing. On the bitterest nights, a furnace or electric heat strips make up the gap. We choose the temperature where backup heat steps in, so the house stays warm without wasted energy.
Does my furnace have to go?
Not always. With dual fuel, the heat pump carries most of the year and the furnace covers the coldest stretches. We will give you an honest read on whether your furnace is fit to pair with a new heat pump.
Can you help with rebates and tax credits?
We can. We help you claim Avista rebates and federal tax credits on heat pumps, flag the qualifying models before you choose and help pull the paperwork together once the install is done.
Steam comes off my outdoor unit in winter. Is that a problem?
Most of the time, no. That is the defrost cycle clearing frost from the coil. If the coil stays iced over or the heat stops, give us a call and we'll check it.
What if my heat pump stops working overnight?
Call at any hour. Emergency HVAC repair is available 24/7 with no emergency or after-hours fees. If we make the repair, the diagnostic fee goes toward it.
Ready to talk heat pumps?
Tell us about your home and what you want from your heating and cooling. We'll come out, look things over and give you an honest recommendation.