Heat Pump Installation & Replacement in Orange County
Heats & Cools · Free Estimates · Same-Day Service
A heat pump is one system that heats and cools your home. In summer it works exactly like an air conditioner, carrying heat out of the house. In winter it runs the same process in reverse, collecting warmth from the outdoor air and bringing it inside. Orange County's mild winters suit that very well. We install, replace and repair heat pumps across the county from our Fountain Valley shop. Because we hold the electrical licence as well as the heating and cooling one, the circuit and panel side is handled by the same crew, not a second company. Free written estimates, same-day repair service available, and emergency calls answered 24/7.
One System That Heats and Cools
A heat pump is simpler than it sounds. Think of your air conditioner. It takes heat from inside the house and dumps it outside. A heat pump does that too, and then in winter it flips a valve and runs the other way. It pulls heat out of the outdoor air and releases it indoors.
Even cool air holds a useful amount of heat, so this works on chilly mornings as well. Because the heat pump moves heat rather than burning fuel to make it, it uses much less energy for the warmth you get. And since the same machine does both jobs, you have one outdoor unit, one indoor unit and one thermostat for the whole year.
What happens when you call
- We listen first. We ask what is going on and book a time that suits you. For a repair, we aim to come the same day.
- We visit and measure. A technician looks at your current system, your ducts and your electrical panel, and explains what they find in plain words.
- You get a written price. For a new system or replacement, the estimate is free and in writing. The price is agreed before any work starts, and it does not change afterwards.
Why Heat Pumps Suit Orange County
Heat pumps do their easiest, most efficient work when winters are mild, and ours are. Near the coast, frost is rare. Inland cities such as Anaheim, Orange and Yorba Linda see colder nights, but even there a freezing morning is the exception rather than the pattern. That is comfortable territory for a modern heat pump.
Summer is the other half of the story. Inland afternoons get properly hot, and a heat pump is a full air conditioner at the same time. You are not buying a heater and hoping it cools. You are buying a cooling system that also heats.
Heat pump vs furnace, honestly
A gas furnace produces very hot air quickly, then shuts off. A heat pump produces warm air, not scorching air, and runs a little longer to reach the same temperature. Many people find that steadier heat more comfortable, with fewer hot and cold swings. Some people miss the blast of furnace heat. Neither is wrong.
Running costs depend on your electricity and gas rates, which vary by city and plan, so we will not guess your bill. We will give you a straight comparison for your home, including keeping a furnace as backup.
Types of Heat Pump Systems We Install
“Heat pump” covers several different set-ups. Every one of them heats and cools. What changes is where the indoor part lives and how the air gets to your rooms. These are the systems we put in most often, explained without the jargon.
1. Ducted split system heat pump with an air handler
This is the usual whole-house residential heat pump installation. A heat pump split system simply comes in two halves. Outside sits the heat pump, which looks much like an AC unit. Inside, an air handler (a cabinet holding a fan and a coil) takes the place of the old furnace in the attic, garage or hall closet, and pushes warm or cool air through the ducts you already have.
It is also the classic heat pump replacement. You have an ageing furnace and an ageing AC; instead of buying two new machines, you buy one ducted heat pump system. The gas line to the furnace is capped safely and the house heats and cools on electricity alone, which is why you may see it called an electric heat pump installation. Ducts in good condition are reused. If they leak or are too small, we show you and price the repair on its own line.
2. Dual fuel: heat pump plus gas furnace
If your furnace is still fairly young, keep it. In a dual-fuel set-up the heat pump replaces the old AC outside, and a matched coil sits on top of the furnace. The heat pump does all of the cooling and most of the heating. Below an outdoor temperature we agree with you, the furnace takes over. One thermostat runs both, so nothing needs switching by hand.
3. Ductless mini-split heat pumps
A mini-split is a heat pump without ducts. A slim indoor head mounts high on a wall, joined to a compact outdoor unit by a small bundle of pipe and cable through a hole about the size of a fist. One outdoor unit can serve a single room, or with a multi-zone system, several rooms, each at its own temperature. It suits homes that never had ducts, room additions, and that back bedroom the central system never quite reaches. See our ductless mini-split installation page.
4. Heat pumps for garages and ADUs
This is a growing part of our work. Garages are becoming gyms, workshops, offices and bedrooms, and backyard ADUs are going up across Orange County. Stretching ducts from the main house rarely makes sense for either, so a single-zone mini-split heat pump is usually the answer. A larger ADU with a separate bedroom may be better served by two indoor heads, or a small ducted unit hidden in a closet.
The electrical side is where these jobs are won or lost. A garage unit needs its own circuit; a detached ADU often needs a subpanel fed from the house. Both are our C-10 work, done on the same visit. Garages also tend to have bare walls and a thin door, so we look at insulation before choosing a size. Our garage and ADU mini-split page goes into more detail.
5. Inverter (variable-speed) heat pumps
Any of the systems above can come with an inverter compressor, and almost every mini-split already has one. A basic heat pump is either fully on or fully off. An inverter model slows down and speeds up to match what the house needs, so it runs quieter, holds a steadier temperature and starts gently instead of with a jolt of current, which helps where panel space is tight. It costs more up front. Our inverter heat pump installation page compares the two.
Whichever type you choose, it is sized by calculation
Bigger is not better. An oversized heat pump switches on and off too often, wears faster and leaves rooms feeling clammy. An undersized one struggles. We size every system with a room-by-room load calculation that accounts for your square footage, windows, insulation, which way the house faces and how the ducts are laid out. The trade calls it a Manual J. You just need to know it is the right way to choose a size.
Winter Behaviour That Looks Odd but Is Normal
Defrost mode: the steam you see in winter is normal
When the air outside is cool and damp, frost can build up on the outdoor coil while the heat pump is heating. To clear it, the unit briefly switches into defrost. For a few minutes the outdoor fan stops, you may hear a soft whoosh as the valve changes over, and a cloud of vapour drifts up from the unit. It is melting frost, nothing more. Afterwards the heat pump goes back to heating on its own.
What deserves a phone call is ice that keeps building: a solid white shell over the coil that never clears, or ice on the top of the unit that stays all day.
Heat strips: backup electric heat
Most ducted heat pumps can have a set of electric heating elements, called heat strips, added inside the air handler. They switch on during defrost so you do not feel a cool draught, and they help on the coldest mornings. They are simple and reliable, but they use a lot of electricity, so we set them up to come on only when needed. Read more on our heat strip installation page.
If your thermostat shows “aux heat” or “emergency heat”, that refers to the heat strips. Seeing “aux” now and then is fine. If it seems to be on all the time, the heat pump itself may need attention.
Call (714) 499-6656The Electrical Side Is Part of the Job
Every heat pump system installation has an electrical side. The outdoor unit needs its own 240-volt circuit and a disconnect switch next to it. Heat strips need a second dedicated circuit. Replacing a gas furnace moves your heating onto electricity, so the panel carries more load than before.
Aerosphere holds the C-10 electrical licence as well as the C-20 heating and air conditioning licence, so one company handles both sides. During the estimate we check the size and condition of your panel and work out the load properly. Then we pick the simplest route that works:
- Use spare capacity in the existing panel where there is room.
- Add a subpanel if the main panel has no free spaces.
- Upgrade to a 200-amp panel if the home is on an older, smaller service. See our electrical panel upgrade page.
- Choose an inverter heat pump that draws less current, or phase the work over time.
An older panel is not a dead end. It is a normal part of the conversation in plenty of Orange County homes, and the fix is work we do ourselves. You get one estimate, one schedule and one crew accountable for the whole job.
Heat Pump Installation and Replacement Cost in Orange County, 2026
These are typical ranges. Your exact price comes from a free written estimate after we see the house, and it is agreed in writing before we start.
| Work | Typical Cost | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Heat pump system (ducted) | $9,000 – $16,000 | Outdoor heat pump, matched air handler, thermostat, permit and testing |
| Ductless mini-split, single zone | $3,500 – $5,500 | One room with no ducts, such as an addition |
| Multi-zone mini-split (3 heads) | $9,000 – $15,000 | Whole-home option where ducts are missing or poor |
| Heat strip kit installed | $650 – $1,600 | Backup heat for defrost and cold mornings |
| Dedicated heat pump circuit | $450 – $1,200 | Depends on the distance from panel to unit |
| Subpanel | $1,500 – $3,500 | When the main panel has no free spaces |
| Panel upgrade to 200A | $3,000 – $6,500 | Older, smaller services; done by us under our C-10 |
| Smart thermostat installed | $250 – $550 | Must be set up for heat pump and backup heat |
| Ductwork replacement (whole house) | $4,500 – $9,500 | Only when the old ducts are failing or undersized |
| Diagnostic / service call | $89 – $150 | For heat pump repair; applied to the repair |
| Refrigerant leak search & repair | $350 – $1,500 | A common cause of weak heating and icing |
Prices are 2026 ranges for Orange County homes and are confirmed in writing after a visit. We do not service water heaters or tankless water heaters of any brand.
Paying for it
We accept credit card, check, Zelle and cash. 0% financing on approved credit lets you spread the cost of a new heat pump system over time.
Rebates and incentives
Utility and state incentives for heat pumps exist, but they change often, and what is available depends on your address and your electric utility. We check what currently applies to you while preparing your estimate, and we list it separately so you can see exactly what is confirmed and what is not.
Heat Pump Repair: Signs Something Is Wrong
Heat pumps work in both seasons, so they rack up more running hours than an air conditioner that rests all winter. Call us if you notice any of these:
- Cold air in heat mode for more than a few minutes at a time. A short cool spell during defrost is normal; a steady cold draught is not.
- Ice that stays on the outdoor unit instead of melting off.
- Short cycling: the system switches on and off every few minutes.
- Aux or emergency heat running constantly, often with a jump in your electric bill.
- The unit hums but the fan does not spin, or it will not start at all.
Same-day service is available: call early and we will get to you today in most cases. Emergency calls are answered 24/7. Many repairs turn out to be a small part such as a capacitor, a contactor or a sensor, not a new system.
Repair or replace?
If your heat pump is under about ten years old and the fault is a part, repair is usually the sensible answer. If it is fifteen years or older and the compressor has failed, or there is a major refrigerant leak, the repair can cost a large share of a new system, and replacement deserves a look. Older units that use R-22 refrigerant are also costly to recharge, since R-22 is no longer produced. We show you both numbers and let you decide. No pressure either way.
Condos and high-rises
Many Orange County condo towers use water source heat pumps, one per unit, connected to the building's water loop. We repair and replace the unit inside your home; the building's central plant belongs to the association. More on our water source heat pump page.
A Heat Pump Contractor in Orange County You Can Check
Aerosphere Electric is licensed under CSLB #1108650, with the C-20 classification for heating and air conditioning (what the trade calls HVAC) and the C-10 classification for electrical work. You can verify that yourself at cslb.ca.gov, and we encourage you to check any contractor the same way. Our technicians are EPA 608 certified to handle refrigerant. More about that on our certified technician page.
Every heat pump installation is permitted under our own licence and inspected by your city. We handle the California Title 24 requirements, including duct leakage testing where it applies, and give you the finished paperwork. A permit protects you when you sell the house.
Our shop is in Fountain Valley, and we cover the whole county, including Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Irvine and Fountain Valley itself. If you searched for a heat pump near me, we are probably closer than you think.
What changes from city to city
For heat pump installation in Anaheim, the hot inland afternoons usually decide the size, particularly in the hillside homes of Anaheim Hills, and the city's own utility sets which incentives apply.
In Irvine, many homes in the older villages still run a gas furnace and ducts from the 1970s or 1980s, which makes a ducted heat pump a natural swap when both wear out. If your association reviews outdoor equipment, we supply the spec sheets it asks for.
In Huntington Beach, winters near the water are gentle enough that backup heat rarely switches on. Salt air is the bigger enemy there, so we think carefully about where the outdoor unit goes and how to keep its coil rinsed.
Heat Pump Questions, Answered Plainly
How much does heat pump installation or replacement cost in Orange County?
For a complete ducted heat pump system, most Orange County homes land between $9,000 and $16,000 in 2026. Where you fall in that range depends on the size of the house, whether the existing ducts can be reused, whether you choose a single-speed or variable-speed (inverter) unit, and whether backup heat strips are added. Swapping an old heat pump for a new one falls in the same range, and reusing sound ducts and the existing circuit keeps it lower. If a new circuit or panel work is needed, that is a separate line on the same estimate, so nothing is hidden. The figure comes in writing after we visit; we do not quote over the phone. 0% financing on approved credit is available.
How fast can you install a heat pump, and how fast can you fix one?
A straightforward heat pump replacement in a single-storey home usually takes one to two working days once the equipment is here. Larger homes, new ductwork or panel work add time, and we tell you the schedule on the estimate. For repairs, same-day service is available: call early and we will get to you today in most cases. Emergency calls are answered 24/7. We do not promise an exact arrival minute, because Orange County traffic has its own opinions, but we do keep you informed.
Will my electrical panel handle a heat pump?
In most homes, yes, and if not, we fix that ourselves. A heat pump needs its own 240-volt circuit and an outdoor disconnect, and backup heat strips need a separate circuit of their own. We check your panel during the estimate. If there is spare room, we use it. If the panel is at its limit, the next step might be a subpanel, a 200-amp panel upgrade, or choosing an inverter unit that draws less power. All of that is our own C-10 electrical work, so you deal with one company and one estimate.
Heat pump vs furnace: which is better for my home?
Both keep you warm. A gas furnace makes heat by burning fuel and sends out very hot air in short bursts. A heat pump moves existing heat from outside to inside, so it delivers gentler warm air over longer run times and uses much less energy to do it. The big difference is that a heat pump also cools, so it replaces your furnace and your AC together. In our mild climate a heat pump covers nearly every winter day comfortably. If you like the feel of furnace heat, dual-fuel keeps the furnace as backup.
Do you install and repair heat pumps in Anaheim?
Yes. Anaheim is roughly twenty minutes from our Fountain Valley shop, longer at rush hour, and it is a regular part of our service area for heat pump installation and heat pump repair. One thing is different there: Anaheim has its own city-owned electric utility, Anaheim Public Utilities, rather than the utility most of the county uses. That means any energy incentives for a heat pump can differ from those in neighbouring cities. We check what applies at your address before we write your estimate.
Are there rebates for heat pumps right now?
Often there are, but the programmes change frequently. Utility rebates, state programmes and federal tax rules have all shifted in recent years. Rather than print a number that could be out of date next month, we look up what currently applies to your address and your equipment when we prepare your estimate. If a programme needs paperwork from the installer, we complete our part. We will never build a rebate into a price unless it is confirmed.
Can I keep my gas furnace and still get a heat pump?
Yes. That set-up is called dual fuel. The heat pump handles cooling all summer and most of your heating, and the gas furnace takes over as backup when it is colder outside or when you want quicker heat. The two work through one thermostat, so you do not switch anything yourself. It is a sensible choice if your furnace is fairly new and the air conditioner is the part that is failing, since you replace the AC with a heat pump and keep the furnace you already paid for.
Can you install a heat pump in my garage or ADU?
Yes, and it is one of the jobs we are doing more of. For a garage gym, workshop, office or a backyard ADU, the usual choice is a ductless mini-split heat pump: one quiet indoor head, one small outdoor unit, heating and cooling from the same machine. A single-zone system runs $3,500 to $5,500 in 2026. It needs its own circuit, and a detached ADU often gets a subpanel; both are our own C-10 work. If the garage has no insulation, we will say so, because insulating first can mean a smaller, cheaper unit. More on our garage and ADU mini-split page.
Ready for a Heat Pump, or Need One Fixed?
Whether it is a new heat pump install, a replacement or a repair, call and tell us what is going on. We will explain your options in plain words and give you a written price before anything is done.
Call (714) 499-6656 Request a free estimate