Heat Pump Installation & Repair

A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse. In summer it pulls heat out of your house and dumps it outside. In winter a reversing valve flips the refrigerant’s direction, so the system pulls heat from the outdoor air (even cold air holds usable heat) and carries it indoors. Because it moves heat instead of making it, a heat pump delivers more heat than the electricity it uses, which is why it usually costs far less to run than electric resistance heat.

In Austin, where we cool most of the year and heat for a few months, that means one system for both jobs. It can run through your existing ducts or as a ductless mini-split, and in homes with gas it can team up with a furnace as a dual fuel system.

SEER2 rates cooling efficiency and HSPF2 rates heating efficiency, under the Department of Energy’s current test procedures. Higher is better. Since 2023, a new split-system heat pump must rate at least 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.

Higher-efficiency, variable-speed models cost more up front, but they spend most of their time at low speed, and long, slow cycles pull more moisture out of the air in an Austin summer. We lay out purchase price against running cost for each tier so you can see what the extra efficiency buys. See What Do SEER and SEER2 Mean?

A Central Texas heat pump works nearly year-round, so it racks up more hours than one in a milder climate. Replacement is worth a look when:

• The system is older and needs a major repair, such as a compressor or reversing valve
• It keeps leaking refrigerant
• It runs on R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer produced
• Your bills keep climbing, or the backup heat runs more each winter
• Some rooms never get comfortable, which can point to sizing or duct problems

When replacement makes sense, we size the new system with an ACCA Manual J load calculation, check the ductboard plenum and flex runs in the attic, and match the indoor and outdoor equipment. If the ducts are part of the problem, see our duct replacement and sealing services. See also How Long Does an AC Last in Central Texas?

Replacing an older system with qualifying high-efficiency equipment may earn a utility rebate. The programs come with conditions, such as efficiency tiers, Manual J sizing, permits, inspections, participating-contractor rules and limits on backup heat, so check the current terms before you buy. Our 2026 guide to HVAC rebates and tax credits is the place to start.

The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) is no longer available for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025. Talk to a tax professional about your situation.

The price of a heat pump job comes down to:

• System size (tonnage), based on your home’s load calculation
• Efficiency level and single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed equipment
• Whether the indoor air handler is replaced along with the outdoor unit
• Backup heat size and any electrical work
• Duct repairs or modifications
• Equipment location and access, such as an air handler in a cramped attic
• Permits and inspections

Want pricing for your home? Build your system online: choose a heat pump, dual fuel or another setup and see pricing for your picks in a few minutes.

If yours is blowing lukewarm air or leaning on aux heat, call 512-489-4653 or schedule online for a repair visit or a replacement quote. Ask about financing.

Before you replace or repair, these guides cover how heat pumps cope with a Texas cold snap, what SEER2 numbers mean, how long equipment lasts here, and which rebates still apply in 2026.

• Can a Heat Pump Keep Up With a Texas Freeze?
• Heat Pumps vs. Electric Resistance Heat for Central Texas Homes
• HVAC Rebates and Tax Credits in Central Texas (2026 Guide)
• What Do SEER and SEER2 Mean, and Why Do They Matter?
• How Long Does an AC Last in Central Texas?

See every heating and cooling guide in the Resource Center