The Definitive Guide to Ductless Heat Pump Costs/Pricing for HRM
What is the cost to install a heat pump in HRM? This is one of the top three questions we’re asked every week. We created this post to help answer that question for 90% of situations. We say 90% because there are some circumstances, which we cover at the end, that make the cost a bit more expensive.
First you need to consider:
Do you want a High-end heat pump or Mid-level heat pump?
No one ever wants to buy the low-end of something, especially when it comes to home heating and comfort. For that reason, we skipped low-end models and pricing all together.
High-end Systems Generally:
- Operate to temperatures of -25° and below
- Have the highest HSPF and SEER ratings
- Come with the longest warranties available
- Are the highest priced
Mid-level Systems Generally:
- Operate to temperatures of -18° to -20°
- Have HSPF and SEER ratings that are 4-6 points lower than the high end models
- Come with warranties that are 3-5 years shorter than high end brands/models
- Most often $300-$500 less expensive than similar high end models
The type of system you choose depends on what is important to you. For some, it’s warranty while for others, it’s efficiency.
What Brands and Models are we talking about?
For high-end brands, we’re talking about Fujitsu’s RLS3 series and Mitsubishi’s FH series. Both of these brands are highly efficient units that work down to as low as -21° to -26°. Both come with excellent warranty and are recognized as premier brands in the ductless heat pump industry.
For mid-level brands we’re talking about LG’s HSV series and Fujitsu’s RLF series. Both of these lines offer good efficiency ratings and warranties that are 3-5 years shorter than those of their high-end counterparts.
Next, we need to determine the size(s) of heat pump(s) required for your home.
What is your Home’s Square Footage and Layout?
Here is the rule of thumb for sizing:
- 9,000 BTU – ~250 sq.ft to ~450 sq.ft
- 12,000 BTU – ~550 sq.ft to ~800 sq.ft
- 15,000 BTU – ~750 sq.ft to ~1100 sq.ft
- 18,000 BTU – ~850 sq.ft to ~1250 sq.ft
You’ll notice there is some overlap in those sizes. This is because different makes and models have varying air flow and max heat ratings. Where one brands 12,000 BTU model may suit a 600 sq.ft space, another brands 12,000 BTU model might suit an 800 sq.ft space.
In most cases you want to match the proper sized heat pump to the square footage of the room it’s being installed in. However, split entry homes and bungalows, where a long hallway stretches the full length of the upper floor, are the exception. In these homes it can be helpful to size up the heat pump slightly, to help “push” some of the heat down to the bedrooms that come off the hallway.
*Please book an in-home assessment with one of our Home Energy Specialists in order to properly determine the correct heat pump size for your home.
Once you select the grade of heat pump you want and establish the right size for your home you can get an estimate of the cost, including installation, for a ductless heat pump.
Pricing For Varying Sizes of Single Zone Heat pumps
High-end models:
- 9,000 BTU – $4,295
- 12,000 BTU -$4,645
- 15,000 BTU – $4,995
- 18,000 BTU – $5,295
Mid-level models:
- 9,000 BTU – $3,350
- 12,000 BTU – $3,695
- 15,000 BTU – n/a
- 18,000 BTU – $4,095
You’ll notice that we don’t have a price for the 15,000 BTU mid-level model, this is because there is no mid-level brand 15,000 BTU model.
Single Zone Versus Multi-Zone Heat Pumps
Until this point we have only considered single zone ductless heat pump systems. This means, one outdoor unit matched with one indoor unit.
When you have more than one area of the home that you would like to cover with a heat pump you are faced with a choice.
- Install more than one single zone ductless heat pump
- Install a multi-zone heat pump system
A multi-zone heat pump system is one outdoor unit with two, three and sometimes even four, indoor heads connected to it.
* We have discussed the Pros and Cons of purchasing a single head system vs a multi- head system in a previous post and video.
READ: Single Head Vs Multi Head Ductless Heat Pump Systems – Which is Right for You
Pricing for Multi-Zone Heat Pumps
It’s not quite as straightforward to give you pricing on every multi-zone combination available, but we will give you some of the most popular combinations we install for both high-end and mid-level systems.
High-end Models
- 18,000 BTU outdoor unit with a 9,000 BTU & 12,000 BTU indoor head – $7,600
- 24,000 BTU outdoor unit with two 12,000 BTU indoor heads – $8,050
- 36,000 BTU outdoor unit with three 12,000 BTU indoor heads – $9,700
Mid-level Models
- 18,000 BTU outdoor unit with a 9,000 BTU & 12,000 BTU indoor head – $6,300
- 24,000 BTU outdoor unit with two 12,000 BTU indoor heads – $6,700
- 36,000 BTU outdoor unit with three 12,000 BTU indoor heads – $9,500
If you’re thinking a multi-zone heat pump is the right choice for you, then please meet with one of our Home Energy Specialists to review your home’s layout and electrical service.
What Could Cause the Price to be Higher?
The pricing we’ve provided is accurate, assuming:
- Your current electrical service can handle the required amperage
- There is space, or we can make space, on your electrical panel
- There is an ideal location to install the outdoor unit, either on a bracket or stand
- Your electrical panel is near the install location of the outdoor unit
- The distance between the outdoor unit and the indoor heat pump is 20 feet or less
If any of the above statements are not true, there is a possibility that the price could be higher than what we’ve discussed in this post.
There you have it. You now have a good idea of what a ductless heat pump will cost to be installed in your home. Is it more or less expensive than you might have thought?
The next step is to have one of our Home Energy Specialists visit your home in order to confirm sizing, electrical service availability, install location etc. Our free in-home assessments only take 30-40 minutes and are available Monday to Friday.
