Complete guide to heat pump installation in San Mateo County, covering the entire process from assessment to final testing.
Before any equipment gets delivered, we visit your property to assess the suitability of the location for heat pump installation, evaluating factors like available space, electrical connections, and proper ventilation. This isn’t a quick walk-through.
We perform a Manual J Load Calculation to get properly sized equipment, involving measurements of different parameters of your home. We calculate the appropriate size of the heat pump based on your property’s heating and cooling needs to ensure the system can effectively maintain a comfortable indoor environment. Getting this wrong means you’ll either have a system that works too hard or one that can’t keep up.
Choosing the right size heat pump for your home is crucial for optimal performance and energy efficiency, with several factors influencing the correct size including square footage, insulation levels, ceiling height, and local climate. San Mateo County’s Mediterranean climate works in your favor here, but we still need to account for those occasional cold snaps and hot summer days.
Our assessment goes beyond just measuring rooms. The process includes evaluation of your home’s layout, existing ductwork, and insulation, with systems potentially requiring new ductwork or retrofit solutions to ensure even air distribution. If your home has drafty conditions or oversized HVAC equipment, we’ll identify these issues upfront.
Sizing matters because a correctly sized heat pump heater ensures optimal energy use and comfort, with decisions needed between ducted heat pumps and mini splits heating systems based on your home’s layout. A system that’s too small will run constantly trying to keep up. Too large, and it’ll cycle on and off frequently, wasting energy and wearing out faster.
We also evaluate your electrical setup. Heat pumps may require additional electrical capacity, but a service upgrade from PG&E can often be avoided by making smart choices. Most heat pumps run on 220V electricity, so you may need a new circuit to supply it, though this cost is typically included in our installation estimates.
As licensed professionals, we ensure your system meets all state energy codes and safety standards, but getting there requires proper permitting. We can help with the permit process if one is needed, taking this administrative burden off your shoulders.
California has specific requirements for heat pump installations that go beyond basic HVAC work. You want to work with contractors experienced in heat pump installations who are familiar with California and Bay Area requirements. These aren’t just suggestions – they’re requirements that protect you and ensure your system operates safely and efficiently.
Depending on your locale, regulatory permits may be required for the installation. San Mateo County has its own building codes that contractors must follow, and we handle the details from permits to setup for a stress-free experience. This includes electrical work, which often requires separate permits from HVAC installation.
The permit process also triggers inspections, which actually work in your favor. Inspectors verify that electrical connections are safe, refrigerant lines are properly installed, and the system meets efficiency standards. Heat pumps must have a 15 SEER rating or higher and an 8.5 HSPF or higher to qualify for many rebate programs, so compliance matters for your wallet too.
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Most heat pump installations can be finished by our experienced technicians in four to eight hours, with ductless systems typically faster to install than ducted systems. The actual timeline depends on your specific situation, but here’s what happens on installation day.
Before removing any old heat pump, we must safely dispose of the old refrigerant, as venting refrigerant gas like Puron or Freon into the atmosphere is illegal and requires proper recovery machines and storage tanks. This environmental protection step is non-negotiable and shows you’re working with a legitimate contractor.
Heat pumps contain hazardous refrigerants, and it’s illegal to vent these chemicals into the atmosphere, requiring contractors to follow specific EPA standards while disconnecting and removing old systems using recovery machines to capture refrigerant for safe removal. This isn’t where you want contractors cutting corners.
Our removal process starts by safely disconnecting and removing your old system, turning off power, disconnecting electrical connections, and carefully uninstalling the existing unit. After dealing with the refrigerant, we disconnect and remove the heat pump, clearing the way for your new system.
Site preparation is crucial for long-term performance. The condenser unit needs a level, stable, elevated place, with ground cleared and leveled and a cement pad in place so the unit stays away from dirt, vegetation, standing water, and snow. We level the space and install a composite pad before placing the new heat pump.
Outdoor units must have clean airflow through them, so placing your heat pump under a deck isn’t recommended, and units should be away from bedrooms and placed on the ground to reduce noise and avoid disturbing sleep. We’ll explain placement decisions and make sure you’re comfortable with the location.
The indoor component gets attention too. Inside your home, the indoor evaporator coil connects to refrigerant lines, with professionals removing this device during installation, noting that uncased evaporator coils are particularly sensitive and need additional protection steps, while most technicians suggest cased coils since casing is already part of the product.
Once units are in place, we connect system components, with electrical lines carefully run between the heat pump and indoor unit and connected to the main power supply, typically with addition of a disconnect box for safety. Wiring goes from an electrical panel to the disconnect box to power the heat pump, with the disconnect box letting you turn off power to the HVAC system for safety during maintenance or repair, and installing a new disconnect box is usually recommended and may be required by local codes.
After evaporator coil replacement, we remove existing refrigerant lines, with these copper lines running refrigerant between the heat pump and your home, and we weld lines to the new heat pump to ensure leak-free connections. This welding work requires skill and proper equipment – another reason why professional installation matters.
We inspect the thermostat wiring and upgrade it if needed, and there’s also a valve that lets the system switch back and forth from heating to cooling. If you’re getting a new thermostat with the new system, it must be properly installed, and this could be an ideal time to switch to a smart thermostat for energy savings and comfort, though not all heat pumps are compatible with smart thermostats.
Once installed, we test and calibrate the system to meet your home’s needs, then clean up after installation and safely dispose of the old unit. We check that the system’s sensors and reversing valve work properly to switch between heating and cooling. This testing phase ensures everything operates correctly before our crew leaves your home.
The installation process for a new heat pump is complicated and not a case where HVAC contractors can disconnect wires from your old unit, put a new one in place, reattach wires and be done. But when done right, you’ll have a system that provides heating and cooling year-round with energy efficiency that can help save money on utility bills.
With regular maintenance, your heat pump can provide up to 15 years of interior climate control, and regular filter changes and occasional check-ups will keep your system running smoothly for years. Your investment in professional installation pays dividends in reliability, efficiency, and peace of mind.
If you’re ready to move forward with heat pump installation in San Mateo County, we’re here to help. Our experienced team understands local requirements and can guide you through the entire process, from initial assessment to final testing.
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