Heat Pump Installation in Greater Boston & the South Shore

Heat Pump Installation Costs in Greater Boston

Most heat pump installations we complete fall in this range, before Mass Save rebates:

What Affects the Price?

• System size: larger homes and homes with less insulation need a higher-capacity system.
• Efficiency: higher-efficiency equipment lowers monthly bills but usually costs more up front.
• Add-ons: options like smart thermostats and zoning add to the price.

Your estimate will list exactly what’s included with the option you choose.

Mass Save rebates can lower the cost of a new heat pump. See current Mass Save rebates.

It’s the Rating, Not the Brand

Every manufacturer publishes a specification sheet showing how its heat pump performs at different outdoor temperatures. Many advertise that a unit “heats down to -22°F,” and that can be true. The more important question is how much heat it still produces at that temperature.

A heat pump rated at 36,000 BTUs usually delivers far less than 36,000 BTUs when it’s -22°F outside. That’s why we check the rating sheet for each system’s real heating capacity in cold weather before we recommend it. Our goal isn’t to sell you equipment. It’s to make sure you’re comfortable and happy with it for years.

How We Size a Heat Pump for Your Home

We design heat pumps to handle the whole heating load of your house. On ducted systems, we also include an electric heat strip that turns on automatically if the heat pump ever can’t keep up with demand. When a system is designed correctly, most homes rarely need it.

Sizing is only part of the job. We also look at:

• Insulation: how well your home holds heat changes how much capacity you need.
• Ductwork size: ducts that are too small restrict airflow and cut performance.
• Duct sealing and insulation: leaky or uninsulated ducts lose heated air before it reaches your rooms, so you never get the full capacity you paid for.

Ducted or Ductless?

Many Massachusetts homes are older and don’t have room for ductwork except in the attic or basement. Adding ducts often means opening walls and ceilings or giving up closets, which is disruptive and messy.

Ductless heat pumps are a great alternative. Each indoor unit heats and cools the room it’s in and has its own thermostat or remote, which keeps the system efficient and reliable. They’re also very quiet. In our experience, ductless units keep heating at lower outdoor temperatures than a typical ducted heat pump, because each one only has to heat its own room. Learn more about ductless mini-splits.

What Is Defrost Mode?

In cold, damp weather, frost can build up on your heat pump’s outdoor coil. When it does, the system briefly reverses to melt it off. The indoor unit may pause, and you might hear a whoosh or see a little steam from the outdoor unit. That’s normal. Each cycle usually lasts just a few minutes, and most homeowners never notice a difference in comfort.

What’s Included in Every Trust 1 Heat Pump Installation

• Removal and disposal of your existing equipment
• A new Wi-Fi thermostat
• Three standard 1″ air filters
• A new drain trap and all drain connections
• All electrical, ductwork, and supply and return sheet metal connections
• Surge protection
• A new outdoor condenser pad
• A new electrical whip and disconnect switch
• Nitrogen pressure test to confirm the refrigerant lines are leak-free
• Deep vacuum to remove air and moisture so the system runs properly
• Flushing of existing refrigerant lines to remove contaminants and protect the new system
• All necessary refrigerant

If your home needs new electrical feeds from the panel, we list that as a separate line item so you see the full cost up front.

Mass Save Rebates for Heat Pumps

Eligible homeowners can get money back through Mass Save. Current 2026 rebates for air source heat pumps:

• Whole-home: $2,650 per ton, up to $8,500, when the heat pump is your only heating and cooling system and your home meets weatherization requirements
• Partial-home: $1,125 per ton, up to $8,500, when you keep your existing heating system with integrated controls
• Income-based: enhanced rebates of up to $16,000 for eligible households

Equipment must be ENERGY STAR® Cold Climate certified and installed by a Mass Save Heat Pump Installer Network contractor. Terms apply. See masssave.com for full details, or read our Mass Save rebates guide. We also offer financing options.

Related Heat Pump Services

• Heat pump repair and heat pump maintenance
• Heat pump replacement
• Ductless mini-splits
• AC installation and heating installation

Live in Braintree, Hingham or Norwood?

These towns have their own light plant heat pump rebates. See Heat Pump Rebates in Braintree, Hingham & Norwood. We’re an approved contractor and handle the paperwork.

Schedule a Heat Pump Estimate

Thinking about a heat pump? Contact Trust 1 Heating, Cooling & Plumbing or book online. We’ll look at your home, show you how the system we recommend performs in cold weather, and help you take advantage of available rebates.