Locally-owned since 1977 • Licensed, bonded and insured in Washington (WA Contractor Reg. #HOMECCA785BD) • NATE-certified technicians • Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer
Heat pump installation for Seattle-Tacoma homes
Home Comfort Alliance installs ducted, ductless and dual fuel heat pumps for homeowners across the Seattle-Tacoma area and the wider Puget Sound region, from branches in Redmond, Everett, Bremerton and Sumner. A heat pump heats your home in winter and cools it in summer with one system, and according to the U.S. Department of Energy it can reduce the electricity used for heating by up to 75% compared with electric resistance heat such as baseboard heaters and electric furnaces.
Every installation starts with a room-by-room load calculation (ACCA Manual J), and we pull the required permits. Installation estimates are free, and you can see a price range first with our instant quote tool.
What is a heat pump and how does it work?
A heat pump is an electric heating and cooling system that moves heat instead of making it. In winter it pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside; in summer it reverses and carries heat out of the house, like an air conditioner. As the Department of Energy puts it, a heat pump transfers heat rather than converting it from a fuel, which is why it uses less energy than a furnace or baseboard heater for the same warmth.
An air-source heat pump has an outdoor unit (the compressor and coil) connected by a refrigerant line set to one or more indoor units: an air handler or furnace coil for ducted homes, or wall-mounted heads for ductless homes.
Heating with baseboards now? See our guide to electric baseboard to heat pump conversion and our ductless mini-split systems.
Our High-Quality Heat Pump Units
Do heat pumps work in Western Washington winters?
Yes. The Puget Sound area's mild, damp winters suit heat pumps well, and the Department of Energy says air-source heat pump technology now offers a legitimate space heating alternative in colder regions. Variable-speed and cold-climate models keep heating through the few hard freezes a Puget Sound winter brings.
If your home is on gas, a dual fuel system lets the gas furnace take over on the coldest days. If it is all-electric, we size the heat pump to your load calculation and confirm how backup heat will work at the estimate.
Heat pump or furnace: which is right for you?
For most Puget Sound homes a heat pump is the better fit, because it heats and cools with one system and our winters are mild. If you already have gas, a furnace can still make sense as backup heat for rare deep freezes, and a dual fuel system gives you both.
- If you heat with baseboards, wall heaters or an electric furnace: a heat pump usually cuts heating use the most and qualifies for the largest utility rebates.
- If you heat with gas and have central AC or none: compare a full heat pump with dual fuel; PSE offers up to $4,000 to switch from gas.
- If your furnace is newer: adding a heat pump in place of the AC coil gives you dual fuel without replacing the furnace.
Read more in furnace vs heat pump vs hybrid systems, or see our furnace replacement service.
Sizing and efficiency: Manual J, SEER2 and HSPF2
A correctly sized heat pump keeps you comfortable and runs efficiently; one that is too big or too small short-cycles or struggles on cold days. That is why Home Comfort Alliance runs a room-by-room load calculation (ACCA Manual J) on every installation instead of sizing by square footage alone.
- SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) rates cooling efficiency. Higher is better.
- HSPF2 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2) rates heating efficiency, the number that matters most in a Puget Sound winter. Higher is better.
- Both are the federal test standards used since January 2023. Many utility rebates require a minimum rating or a variable-speed (inverter) system, so we match equipment to the rebate you qualify for.
Will you need an electrical panel upgrade?
Often not. A heat pump needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and many panels have room for it, especially when the heat pump replaces electric baseboards or an electric furnace. Older or full 100-amp panels may need a load calculation or an electrical panel upgrade, which our licensed electricians check at the estimate so it is in your written price.
How much does heat pump installation cost?
Your price depends on your home's heating and cooling needs, the add-ons you need, how many rooms the system serves and where it's installed. Get a price range in about 30 seconds with our free instant quote tool, then a technician confirms the exact price on a free site visit.
For regional price benchmarks by size and type, what drives the price, and worked rebate examples, read our heat pump cost guide for the Seattle-Tacoma area.
Heat pump rebates by utility (updated September 2026)
Your heat pump rebate depends on your electric utility, your current heating system and, for some programs, your income. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025, according to the IRS, so utility rebates are the main incentive in 2026.
| Utility or program | Heat pump rebate (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| PSE | $1,500 for electric heat to heat pump, plus a $2,400 Efficiency Boost if income-qualified; up to $4,000 for natural gas to heat pump |
| Tacoma Power | $1,000 ducted; $1,000 per ductless unit (up to 4); $2,000 for a variable-speed heat pump replacing electric forced air |
| Seattle City Light | Instant discounts of $300, $400 or $600 by efficiency tier; $2,000 to replace oil heat |
| Snohomish County PUD | $1,800 ducted conversion; $2,500 ducted inverter-driven model |
| Energy Smart Eastside | Varies by program |
| Washington HEAR program | Varies by local administrator |
Home Comfort Alliance is an approved contractor for PSE (Trade Ally), Tacoma Power, Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD and Energy Smart Eastside, which some programs require. Eligibility rules for each program are in our heat pump cost guide.
Paying for your heat pump: financing
Financing is available through Salal Credit Union and Synchrony, with low monthly payment plans starting at $179/month*, 0% interest options for qualifying customers and instant online approval. See heat pump financing options.
*Financing through Salal Credit Union or Synchrony, subject to credit approval. Rates, terms and monthly payments depend on the amount financed, the plan and your credit. 0% interest options are available to qualifying customers. See lender for full terms.
Get a free estimateAn in-home visit and a written, upfront price before any work begins.
Our heat pump installation process
- Price range and estimate request. Use the instant quote tool for a range, then book a free in-home estimate by form or phone.
- In-home assessment. A comfort advisor runs the Manual J load calculation, checks your ducts or wall space and your electrical panel, and confirms which utility rebates apply.
- Written options. You get upfront, transparent pricing before any work begins, with equipment choices and financing options.
- Permits. We pull the required mechanical and electrical permits.
- Installation. NATE-certified technicians install the outdoor and indoor units, line set, drain and controls; our licensed electricians handle the electrical work.
- Startup and inspection. We start up and test the system, set up your thermostat or controls, walk you through it; the permit inspection follows.
What you get with Home Comfort Alliance
- Upfront, transparent pricing before any work begins.
- Free installation estimates, with a price range first from our instant quote tool.
- A room-by-room load calculation (ACCA Manual J) on every installation, and we pull the required permits.
- Approved contractor for PSE (Trade Ally), Tacoma Power, Seattle City Light, Snohomish PUD and Energy Smart Eastside.
- Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer, Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and Quilt dealer; we service all major brands.
- 1-year labor warranty on installations, and we support the manufacturer's warranty on covered parts.
- NATE-certified technicians and in-house licensed electricians.
- 24/7 emergency service. Our phones are answered around the clock.
Where we install heat pumps
Home Comfort Alliance installs heat pumps throughout King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Find your city:
Eastside and King County (Redmond branch)
Snohomish County (Everett branch)
Kitsap County (Bremerton branch)
Pierce, south King and Thurston counties (Sumner branch)
Don't see your city? See all our service areas.
Heat pump installation FAQ
Is a heat pump worth it in the Puget Sound area?
For most homes, yes. Our mild winters let a heat pump run efficiently most of the year, it adds air conditioning for summer heat waves and wildfire smoke days, and utility rebates lower the upfront cost. The biggest savings come when a heat pump replaces baseboard heaters or an electric furnace.
Do heat pumps work when it freezes?
Yes. Modern variable-speed and cold-climate heat pumps keep heating below freezing, and the Department of Energy says air-source heat pumps are now a legitimate heating option in colder regions. A dual fuel system adds a gas furnace for the coldest days if you want one.
What is the government rebate for heat pumps in Washington?
In 2026 the main incentives come from your electric utility: for example, PSE pays $1,500 to switch from electric heat and up to $4,000 to switch from gas, and Tacoma Power pays $1,000 per ductless unit. Washington's HEAR program adds income-based rebates through local administrators. The federal 25C tax credit ended for equipment installed after December 31, 2025.
Can a heat pump replace my furnace completely?
Yes. A ducted heat pump with an electric air handler can replace a furnace and central AC entirely. If you have gas and want a backup, a dual fuel system keeps the furnace for the coldest days and uses the heat pump the rest of the year.
What is the 20-degree rule for heat pumps?
It is an HVAC rule of thumb, not a standard: in summer, a heat pump or air conditioner is expected to keep indoor air roughly 20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than a very hot outdoor temperature. On heat-wave days, setting the thermostat much lower than that makes the system run nonstop without cooling faster.
Do I need a permit to install a heat pump in Washington?
Yes. Heat pump installations need a mechanical permit from your city or county and an electrical permit from the city or WA L&I. Home Comfort Alliance pulls the required permits for every installation, and the work is inspected before the job is closed out.
Which heat pump brands do you install?
Home Comfort Alliance is a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Dealer, a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer and a Quilt dealer, and we service all major brands. Your comfort advisor recommends equipment that fits your load calculation and the rebate you qualify for.
What warranty comes with a heat pump installation?
Our installations include a 1-year labor warranty, and we support the manufacturer's warranty on covered parts. Home Comfort Club members, from $15 a month, get extended labor coverage on repairs, up to 5 years from installation.
Do you offer emergency heat pump service?
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency service, and our phones are answered around the clock. An after-hours fee of $330 applies to emergency HVAC calls outside regular hours. See our heating and cooling repair service.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy (heat pump systems and air-source heat pumps), IRS (25C credit), PSE, Tacoma Power, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County PUD, Energy Smart Eastside, WA Department of Commerce and WA L&I, all checked September 2026.
Why Choose Home Comfort Alliance for Heat Pump Installation
Your Comfort is Our Promise
We promise...
Reliable heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical service, all from one trusted company.
To educate and guide you through your heat pump options so you’ll find the right solution at the right price.
Knowledgeable and respectful workers who ensure both your own comfort during the heat pump installation process, and lasting comfort from your home systems.
Outstanding service, communication, and follow-up, so your home is comfortable now and for years to come.
Get a heat pump installation estimate
A comfort advisor will run your load calculation, confirm your utility rebates and give you written options with financing at an in-home visit.
Get an estimate
A local comfort advisor will call you to set up your visit.