Heat pumps and ductless mini splits in Everett
Our mild, wet winters suit heat pumps about perfectly. They heat for less than baseboards or an old furnace, and they're real air conditioning in July. We install them, fix them and keep them running.
Ducted or ductless?
If your house has ducts in decent shape, a ducted heat pump works a lot like a furnace and an AC rolled into one. It can also be paired with a gas furnace, so the furnace takes over on the coldest nights.
If you heat with baseboards, or there's a bonus room or an addition that's never comfortable, ductless mini splits are usually the better fit. One outdoor unit runs one or more indoor heads, and each room gets its own temperature.
Repairs we see a lot
- Not heating or not cooling, often a sensor, a capacitor or low refrigerant
- An outdoor unit iced solid that isn't defrosting
- Error codes or a blinking light on a mini split head
- An indoor head dripping water, usually a clogged drain
- Running nonstop on cold nights. Sometimes that's normal, sometimes it isn't.
We work on the common brands: Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu, LG, Carrier, Trane, Lennox and others.
What heat pumps cost
| Ductless mini split, one room | $4,500–$8,500 |
|---|---|
| Ductless, three or four rooms | $10,000–$18,000 |
| Ducted heat pump, replacing a furnace or AC | $11,000–$20,000 |
| Heat pump repairs | $175–$1,800 for most |
Snohomish County PUD has offered rebates on qualifying heat pumps, and that can change the math. Programs come and go, so we check what's current when we put your quote together.
Is the steam normal?
Mostly, yes. On cold, damp mornings the outdoor unit frosts up and runs a defrost cycle every so often. You'll see steam and hear a whoosh. That's normal. A unit that's a solid block of ice and stays that way isn't.
Common questions
Do heat pumps work when it's cold?
Current models heat well below freezing, which covers nearly every night in Everett. For the occasional arctic blast, most have backup heat built in, or they can be paired with a gas furnace.
How long do heat pumps last?
Around 12 to 15 years with regular service. Here they heat and cool, so they run most of the year and wear a little faster than a furnace that sits all summer.
How often should a heat pump be serviced?
Twice a year is ideal, spring and fall. Mini split heads also need their filters rinsed every month or two.