How much does a ducted heat pump cost to install?

Prices checked October 2026. Wages: BLS, May 2025.

A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse, so one outdoor unit handles summer and winter. The estimate above prices a full ducted system: an outdoor heat pump unit and a matching indoor air handler, sized from 2 to 5 tons, connected to ductwork you already have. Equipment prices come from public listings of matched outdoor and air handler pairs. Installation is the Department of Energy's average for split heat pumps from its central air and heat pump rule, inflated to current dollars, with a 4 ton value interpolated between DOE's 3 and 5 ton figures. The labor half is scaled to HVAC technician pay in your metro or state.

Use this estimate when replacing an existing heat pump, or when switching from an electric furnace and AC to a heat pump. A heat pump that works alongside a gas furnace (a dual-fuel setup) uses the furnace and a coil as its indoor side, so the central AC page is closer. Ductless mini-splits are a different product and are not covered here. A condensate pump, if the air handler cannot drain by gravity, shows up as an extra.

Installed price by size, national

Size	Unit (list)	Low	Typical	High
2 ton system	$3,538	$3,900	$4,850	$6,950
3 ton system	$3,736	$4,950	$5,750	$7,650
4 ton system	$3,980	$6,450	$7,150	$9,400
5 ton system	$4,184	$7,650	$8,450	$10,950

Installation averages $2,014 nationally for the common size (DOE, inflated to August 2026); about 50% of that is labor, which we scale to local wages.

Extras that may be added

Item	Typical	Range
Condensate pump	$200	$160–$320

What moves the price

System size

Equipment and labor both rise with tonnage. DOE's installation figure for a 5 ton heat pump is about three times its 2 ton value. Have the contractor confirm size with a Manual J load calculation, because an oversized or undersized heat pump performs poorly in both seasons.

Cold-climate performance

Standard heat pumps lose capacity as it gets colder outside. ENERGY STAR's cold climate designation requires third-party verified performance down to 5 degrees. Those units cost more, but in northern states they cut the hours that backup heat has to run. A quote should say which type you are getting.

Efficiency rating

DOE's 2023 minimum for split heat pumps is 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 in every region. The estimate is built on systems near those levels. Variable-speed systems with higher ratings cost more and often run quieter and hold temperature more evenly.

Refrigerant and line set

Since the EPA rule took effect in 2025, new split heat pumps use lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32, so the outdoor unit and indoor coil must be a matched new pair. Whether the old copper lines can stay depends on their size, condition and the manufacturer's instructions.

Ducts and airflow

DOE's Energy Saver guide puts proper heat pump airflow at roughly 400 to 500 cubic feet per minute per ton, and warns that efficiency drops well below 350. Ducts that were barely adequate for an old system may need changes, which is labor the base figure does not include.

Repair or replace?

Heat pumps run in both seasons, so they wear out sooner than air conditioners. DOE's 2016 analysis put average heat pump life at about 16 years in the North and about 15 in southern climates. Fix capacitors, contactors, defrost controls, sensors and fan motors at any age. A failed compressor, a leaking coil or a bad reversing valve on a system near those ages is usually the point to replace. That goes double for an R-410A system out of warranty, since the new system will need matched components anyway. And if winter comfort has been a letdown, replacement is a chance to move to a cold-climate model.

Run the numbers for your unit.

What a complete quote lists

Outdoor unit and air handler model numbers as a matched, rated system
Tonnage, with the load calculation or the reasoning behind it
SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings, refrigerant type, and whether it is a cold-climate model
Backup electric heat size in the air handler, if any
Removal of the old equipment with refrigerant recovery
Line set reuse with flushing and pressure testing, or new lines
Electrical work: disconnect, breakers sized for the air handler and outdoor unit
Condensate drain, secondary pan or overflow switch, and a pump if needed
Thermostat compatible with heat pump staging and backup heat
Permit, equipment warranty with registration deadline, and labor warranty

Paste your quote and we'll tick these off for you.

Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) prices by metro

Common questions

Will a heat pump keep my house warm in winter?

Modern units work in much colder weather than older ones. DOE's Energy Saver guide notes newer technology has made heat pumps viable in colder regions and recommends models designed for cold climates there. A backup heat source for the coldest days is still a sensible pairing.

Why is a heat pump system more than an AC system of the same size?

The estimate here includes a new air handler with its own blower. An AC replacement usually keeps the furnace and adds only a coil. The outdoor unit also has a reversing valve and defrost controls. Compare like with like: heat pump plus air handler against AC plus furnace.

How long does a heat pump last?

DOE's 2016 analysis uses about 16.4 years in the North, 15.4 in hot-dry areas and 15.1 in hot-humid areas. Home inspection charts are more cautious, at 10 to 15 years.

Do I need new ductwork?

Not usually, but the ducts must move enough air. If rooms were already uneven or the system is getting bigger, the installer should measure airflow and say whether any duct changes are needed.

What about the refrigerant charge?

Split systems are charged in the field. DOE notes that too much or too little refrigerant reduces performance and efficiency, and that systems should be leak-checked at installation and at service visits. Ask how the installer verifies the charge.