Heat Pump Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

To install all new system to old space and additional newly built space, to remove old AC and old Gas Furnace

I live in the Richmond, VA area. Got the dual fuel Cadillac. I just replaced my 11 year old heating/cooling system with a Lennox XP14-030 coupled with a Lennox Signature variable speed 2 stage gas furnace. Please note that this was a two zone installation so I basically bought two of each. I took advantage of a spring sale with James River Air Conditioning Company and their partnership with Costco to reduce costs even more. They even fixed some airflow issues that were inherent with the house by replacing the return ventilation with 16 in compared to the 14 in that was there. Also threw in the 16x25 Honeywell air cleaner filter. Installation includes 2 new thermostats.
All work was completed in 1 day. I did this on my terms rather than wait for system failure. James River Air has stellar reputation and their technicians performed as I expected.
All told, I paid $13000. With the Costco cash back rewards for paying with the Costco AMEX card, I'll get another $1000 back to use on in store purchases. Also, will receive a $300 Energy Efficiency rebate check from state of VA. Also, will claim federal tax credits when I file my 2010 taxes.
I guess I'm actually only paying around $11000 for this system.
From what I can tell by what others have paid, I've done pretty darn well

We are total electric with well water in Kansas. We have replaced heat pump 3 x in 25 years. Considering closed system heat pump. Wondering what should expect for pricing.

Our existing Trane Heat pump "died" suddenly. It was really hot out and our service people said they could replace it within the week. The supervisor came out that same evening and gave us a quote of 12,150.00 to replace it with an EverRest. We had a new propane boiler put in a year ago with this same company which supplies the axillary heat (in coils which are pumped with hot water that are attached to the air handler). No ductwork was replaced. Only the outside unit and the air handler needed to be replaced and hooked up to our existing ductwork, etc. We also have a humidifier and air filtration system(aprilaire) which were already existing. Two guys spent 8 hours in our house replacing the system. The company has always been very professional helpful and knowledgable when we had a problem. BUT, in researching prices, it seems as if we were overcharged for this job? Anyone know what is the actual cost for this unit? Thanks for any help we can get!

I believe as with many things in life one must consider variables when forming an opinion on products.
Heat pumps are declared as efficient - less expensive to HEAT a home. But NOT in northern climates.
In my all electric home, using the OTHER appliances the same as usual thru the year...when the temperatures here in Harrisburg, Pa go down, those really cold 2/3 months increase my electric bill by $400.00 per month. (total bill IS $597.00 for dec2010/Jan 2011).
What IS NOT BEING SAID when the business folks (electric co.; heat pump MFGs and others believing themselves to know about heating) declare a heat pump as being better economically is that the colder it is outside in your geographic area the more expensive or higher your bill will be. The system can not achieve the COMFORT level you request of your system (by the setting you place on your thermostat) without the auxiliary heat unit turning on. This auxiliary heat is very expensive.
I have thought about this so many times. If I could afford it - I would have individual heating in my rooms.
Interesting too is that several have offered to REPLACE my unit with what they say are more efficient units BUT... the BREAK EVEN point would be more than 25 to 30 years. And they say I should NOT think about the thousands I had to take from the bank or borrow - as long as I pay less per month. I think more and more folks are smoking crack.
YOU sitting out there are probably drowning with the following thoughts: He has a problem with insulation - Nope. His system is not functioning correctly - nope. The setting is 70 degrees - I notice WE start to have illnesses with a setting lower than 70.
The real problem with heating is...WE are all being gouged with UNFAIR prices for electric, oil and natural gas. You remember what you learned in school about supply & demand - well did you ever think your fellow citizen would take you to the poor house so that THEY could sit in comfort while you are cold?

Was provided three bids by AB May. The first is for a Trane system combination gas and heatpump. It was for a 95% furnace and a 16 seer 3 ton heatpump. The unit was also a two stage for further efficiency. This included install, humidifier, ionizing air filter which is reusable, cleaning of the existing ductwork for mold etc, programmable thermostat, and a 10 year parts and labor warranty as long as they come out and check the system twice a year costing $150.00 each year. The system would qualify for a $750.00 discount from the electric company, $225.00 discount from the Gas Company, and $500.00 worth of tax incentives. The price was $12,024 after rebates.
The second bid was for an identical system except from their house brand Everest which is a re-badged Goodman system. Still would qualify for the rebates same BTU and Seer rating. This was priced at $8,206 after rebates.
They also provided a bid for the most basic Trane system. This included a 95% furnace still, but only a 13 Seer single stage heat pump. The system only qualified for the $225.00 Gas Company discount. This was priced at $6,125 after the rabate.

Compressor cycles quickly off & on for apx 3 to 5 minutes when aux heat turned on, then works normaly,apx 1 to 2 hours.Then cycles fast again.
Wanted an idea of problem before calling a repair man.
Thank you
gus

The indoor coil of your heat pump inherently and automatically dehumidifies the air that passes over it. This is seen as condensation that should be properly drained out of the indoor unit, usually with pvc pipe. Something may be wrong with your indoor coil, could be dirty or maybe the fan speeds need to be adjusted to make sure that the air has adequate time to condense moisture out onto the coil. If the system is oversized, it may turn off and on too frequently, and again not allow enough time for moisture to be brought out of the air. Whole-house dehumidifiers are window-unit sized boxes that attach to the return air ducting near the indoor unit. It would be pretty hard to miss. Chances are, that $800 you paid was not used honestly.

We have a small, single story home with 1850 sq.ft. The heat pump blew and we replaced with a Carrier Comfort series (25hcc536a003) 15seer. We also asked to install the dehumidifier to the system. This costs an extra $800. The house relative humidity is between 70 and 54 when set at 46. In order to get the house cool enough we hae to set the temp at around 68 or lower. Installer would not call back twice after installation and I called again, very mad, and he said he would call next week. What does the dehumidifier that we paid for look like? There is no other box or system except for the standard outside unit and inside unit. We think this guy has ripped us off big time. Have to use a window AC in the bedroom of this small, open house. No duct work or other work was required. We live in the mountains of NC where it does not get very hot/humid so this should not have been an issue. Ideas? We are very mad and about to hit the BBB and a lawyer.

I have replaced all the parts on the 3 ton unit,inside and outside. The compressor is now out for the second time and will cost $1500. for labor,even though the part is covered. This is the third company that has worked on it.