Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) replacement cost in Baltimore, MD
Installed, 3 ton system
A typical heat pump (3 ton system) costs about $5,800 installed in the Baltimore area, 1% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $30 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Baltimore
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton system | $3,950 | $4,850 | $7,050 | $4,850 |
| 3 ton system | $5,050 | $5,800 | $7,800 | $5,750 |
| 4 ton system | $6,550 | $7,200 | $9,650 | $7,150 |
| 5 ton system | $7,800 | $8,550 | $11,350 | $8,450 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Baltimore metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $26 | $23 |
| Median | $30 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $41 | $37 |
The Baltimore market
Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) requires a permit for changing, installing or replacing any electrical, gas, mechanical, HVAC and refrigeration or plumbing system. Only replacement of a minor part that does not alter equipment approval is exempt, and the city's exempt list does not include water heater replacement. Electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work requires a licensed contractor, and all permits require inspections by DHCD building and trade inspectors. Fees were not found, so ask DHCD. EIA's survey shows a mixed state: furnaces are main heat in 64% of Maryland homes, heat pumps in 19% and boilers in 7%, while 57% heat water with electricity. Baltimore County, which surrounds the city, is a separate jurisdiction with its own permit office, as are Howard and Anne Arundel counties.
Heat pumps show up more in newer suburban housing than in city rowhouses, but a rowhouse with an aging furnace and AC can still be a fit. Maryland's federal rebate programs are not open. The Maryland Energy Administration submitted updated applications to DOE on September 30, 2026, and launch depends on DOE review. Ask the contractor about utility rebates in the meantime. For a narrow rowhouse, ask whether a ducted system or ductless heads would suit the floor plan better.
Permits in Baltimore
| Permit for this job | Yes (general rule; only minor part replacement exempt) (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor required for electrical, mechanical, gas and plumbing work |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in Maryland
HEAR: announced, not open yet. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Maryland Energy Administration, checked October 13, 2026.
- EmPOWER Maryland (utility programs): Utility-run heat pump, HPWH and HVAC rebates statewide
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Baltimore
Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) cost in other metros
Sources
- Baltimore City DHCD: Building permits
- Baltimore City DHCD: Work not requiring permits
- Maryland Energy Administration: IRA home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split heat pump (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)