Black Lotus HVAC + Electrical (206) 200-9134
Service · Heat pump installation

Cold-climate heat pump installation in Seattle.

A cold-climate heat pump installation in Seattle typically costs $14,000 to $25,700 before the PSE rebate, depending on home size, ductwork condition, and whether you need an electrical panel upgrade. After the $1,200 PSE instant rebate, most homeowners on the Eastside pay between $12,800 and $24,500 out of pocket. The federal Inflation Reduction Act tax credit can take another $2,000 off your tax bill the following spring.

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// MITSUBISHI M-SERIES 4-TON · BELLEVUE INSTALL
Typical net cost $12,800 – $24,500
PSE instant rebate $1,200
Federal 25C credit Up to $2,000
Rated to -15°F
Equipment lifespan 15–20 yrs
What drives the price

Tonnage, equipment line, ductwork, and panel capacity.

  1. 01

    Tonnage

    Calculated from a Manual J load calculation, not square-foot estimates.

  2. 02

    Equipment line

    Mitsubishi M-Series vs Bosch IDS vs Trane XR.

  3. 03

    Ductwork modifications

    Sealing, resizing, or rerouting only where the existing run needs it.

  4. 04

    Panel capacity

    Whether your panel can handle the new load.

We give every estimate in writing within 24 to 48 hours and the PSE rebate is priced into the quote, never billed separately.

How heat pumps work

What a heat pump actually does (and why it works in Seattle).

A heat pump moves heat instead of generating it. In summer it pulls heat from inside your home and dumps it outside, which is cooling. In winter it pulls heat from outside air and brings it inside, which is heating. The same unit handles both jobs. Even at 20°F there is more heat in outdoor air than you'd think; cold-climate heat pumps just extract it more efficiently than older models.

Cold-climate heat pump is a heat pump with an inverter-driven compressor designed to maintain rated capacity down to 5°F and continue operating to roughly -15°F. The difference between this and a standard heat pump is the difference between needing backup heat in January and not.

For Seattle homes, this matters because we get maybe 10 nights a year below 25°F. A cold-climate heat pump handles them without breaking a sweat. A standard heat pump would need an electric backup to take over, which spikes your bill and shortens the equipment's life. We only install cold-climate spec systems for PNW homes. It's the only configuration that pencils out.

PSE Trade Ally pricing

Estimate your out-of-pocket after rebates.

Quick math on what you'd pay for a heat pump install after the PSE rebate and the federal 25C credit. Adjust system size + panel upgrade + income tier to see your net.

$1,200
PSE instant
$2,000
25C federal
$3,200+
Realized stack
See the full rebate stack →

Heat pump install estimate

4-ton · typical home
Gross install$18,400
PSE Trade Ally rebate−$1,200
Federal 25C credit−$2,000
Your net cost$15,200
Get a real quote →

Get your heat pump quote in 24 to 48 hours.

Free on-site evaluation. Master electrician on every consult. No high-pressure sales. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM.

Request a quote → Call (206) 200-9134
Heat pump vs gas furnace

Heat pump vs gas furnace in the Pacific Northwest.

This is the question most Seattle homeowners actually want answered. The short version: heat pumps win on operating cost and dual-purpose use; gas furnaces still win on raw heating power at very low temperatures and lower up-front cost. Here's the breakdown that matters.

Factor Cold-climate heat pump 96% high-eff gas furnace
Provides A/C in summerYes, same unitNo, separate system needed
Up-front install (4-ton, similar home)$14,000–$22,000$8,500–$13,000
PSE instant rebate$1,200$0
Federal IRA tax creditUp to $2,000Up to $600
Operating cost (PSE Seattle rates, 2026)~$1,100/yr~$1,600/yr
Performance below 20°FMaintains rated outputUnaffected
Equipment lifespan15–20 years18–25 years
Requires gas lineNoYes
Combustion safety riskNoneAnnual inspection required

For most PNW homes the heat pump wins because it covers both heating and cooling, qualifies for $3,200 in combined rebates and credits, and runs 30 to 40 percent cheaper to operate. The exception is a home that already has a gas furnace less than eight years old and no need for AC. That homeowner is probably better off waiting until the furnace dies before switching.

We model both options in every quote so you can compare 10-year operating costs side by side before deciding.

Electrical scope

Do you need an electrical panel upgrade for a heat pump?

Sometimes yes, often no. A 4-ton cold-climate heat pump needs a dedicated 40-amp 240V circuit. If your panel is 200 amps and has open spaces, we land the new breaker and you're done. If your panel is 100 amps or already maxed out, we need to upgrade it first, which adds $2,800 to $4,500 depending on meter and service drop work.

We're an HVAC and Electrical company, which means the same crew evaluates the panel during your heat pump consult. No subcontractor scheduling, no second permit pull, no surprise add-ons after a gas-only contractor leaves. If you need a panel upgrade, it goes in the quote up front. If you don't, we tell you that too.

The honest reality: if your home was built before 1990 and the panel hasn't been touched, plan on the upgrade. If you've got a modern 200-amp panel with breaker space, you almost certainly don't. We confirm during the on-site consult and the quote either includes the panel work or doesn't. Our panel upgrade page walks through the timeline, permits, and Seattle City Light or PSE utility coordination.

Service amperage 100A → 200A → 400A
4-ton heat pump load 40A · 240V dedicated
Upgrade cost (when needed) $2,800 – $4,500
Included in scope Permit · meter · inspection
Bundled with HVAC Same permit · same crew
Cost breakdown

Cost breakdown by system size and home.

System size is calculated from a Manual J load calculation that accounts for square footage, ceiling height, insulation, window count, orientation, and air sealing. We will not quote a heat pump from square footage alone. Undersizing leads to comfort complaints, oversizing leads to short-cycling and shortened equipment life.

✓ Free on-site Manual J ✓ Written quote in 24–48 hours ✓ PSE rebate priced in
Get a real quote → Call (206) 200-9134
System size · typical home
Equipment + install
Net after PSE
2.0 ton · ~24,000 BTU 1,200–1,500 sq ft, small craftsman, well-insulated
$14,000–$17,500
$12,800–$16,300
3.0 ton · ~36,000 BTU 1,500–2,200 sq ft, average 2-story Seattle home
$16,500–$20,200
$15,300–$19,000
4.0 ton · ~48,000 BTU 2,200–2,800 sq ft, larger Eastside craftsman
$18,400–$23,000
$17,200–$21,800
5.0 ton · ~60,000 BTU 2,800–3,500 sq ft, larger home, older insulation
$21,000–$25,700
$19,800–$24,500
Optional · panel upgrade If existing 100A or maxed out
+$2,800–$4,500
Often partially rebatable

The federal Inflation Reduction Act's 25C tax credit covers 30 percent of heat pump install cost up to $2,000 per year. We provide the AHRI certificate and tax form documentation you need with every install. Our financing page walks through the full PSE + IRA stack.

From first call to final walkthrough

How a heat pump install with us goes.

Our process is built around making decisions easy, not pressuring you to make them today. Here's what every Black Lotus heat pump install looks like.

See the full process →
  1. 01

    Day 0Schedule.

    You call. We answer. A technician is introduced by name and a two-hour window is confirmed.

  2. 02

    Day 1Consult.

    On-site Manual J load calculation, panel inspection, ductwork check, install photos. Written estimate in 24 to 48 hours.

  3. 03

    Day 2-4Approve.

    You pick your option. We pull permits, register warranties, lock in your install date and PSE rebate paperwork.

  4. 04

    Day 5-7Install.

    Full walkthrough before we touch a wire. Two to three day install. Combustion analysis if any gas equipment remains, startup, full system test.

  5. 05

    AfterSatisfied.

    Walkthrough at the end. Anything you flag, we fix. Final payment only after sign-off. Warranty starts now.

Equipment lines we install

The systems we install (and why).

We install three primary lines based on what fits your home, your budget, and your preference for sound, modulation, and warranty terms. All are AHRI-certified, all are cold-climate rated, and all come with documented performance ratings we share with the quote.

Mitsubishi M-Series
Premium
Rated to -15°F

Inverter-driven hyper-heat. Lowest sound at 51 dB at the outdoor unit, quieter than a typical conversation. Best for homes where occupants want absolute quiet and the most aggressive cold-weather performance.

Sound (outdoor)51 dB
Compressor warranty12 yrs
AHRICertified
Bosch IDS 2.0
Value
Rated to -4°F

Inverter-driven. 18 to 21 SEER (high efficiency). Strong balance of price and performance for the majority of Seattle homes.

SEER18–21
Compressor warranty10 yrs
AHRICertified
Trane XR / XV
Workhorse
Rated to 5°F

Two-stage variable. Heavy-duty cabinet for high-cycle homes (rental properties, vacation homes, very large spaces).

Stage2-stage variable
Compressor warranty10 yrs
AHRICertified

Every system we install is registered with the manufacturer the week of install. We provide the registration confirmation and AHRI performance certificate as part of your project file, so warranty claims later don't go sideways. Our labor warranty runs alongside the manufacturer warranty and stays in force as long as you own the home.

Why homeowners pick us for heat pumps specifically

Three operational choices that change how the install lands.

Real Manual J load calculations.

We don't quote from square footage. Every system is sized from a measured load calculation accounting for insulation, windows, orientation, and air sealing. The most common heat pump failures we see on competitor installs come down to one thing: oversized equipment short-cycling itself to death.

In-house electrical.

HVAC and electrical under one roof. No subcontractor coordination, no second permit, no surprise add-ons after the gas guy leaves. If your panel needs work, we do it with the same crew on the same week.

Final payment after walkthrough.

You sign off after we walk the install with you. Anything you flag, we fix. Your money clears only after you say it's right. That clause is in writing on every install.

"

Black Lotus might not currently have the marketing chops of the bigger outfits, it's worth giving them a meeting. We're glad we did. They charged us 1/2 of other bids I had gotten.

Anna Chen · Local Guide · 132 reviews · Verified Google review

Is a heat pump right for your home?

A few common scenarios we see in Seattle.

A few common scenarios we see in Seattle metro and how they typically play out. If yours is on this list, the path is usually clear; if it's not, the consult tells us what to do.

Older home with knob-and-tube wiring.

Most insurers won't quote a heat pump panel upgrade with active knob-and-tube still in service. We assess the wiring during the consult and bundle the rewire into the project if needed.

Working from home, comfort spikes matter.

Inverter-driven heat pumps modulate continuously instead of cycling on/off like a furnace. The result is a steadier room temperature with quieter operation than gas heat.

Rental property or vacation home.

Heat pumps reduce gas-line risk and pass home inspections cleanly. We work with property managers and provide tenant-facing documentation on system operation.

Common questions about heat pump installs

Quick answers before you call.

01 /

How long does a heat pump installation take?

+
Most heat pump installs take 2 to 3 days from breaking ground to final walkthrough. Day 1 is typically demo and outdoor unit setup, day 2 is line set and indoor air handler, day 3 is electrical, startup, and commissioning. Larger jobs with panel upgrades or ductwork modifications can extend to 4 or 5 days.
02 /

Will I still need a backup heat source?

+
For Seattle metro homes with a cold-climate spec heat pump, no. We install systems rated to maintain capacity at 5°F and continue operating to -15°F. Seattle's coldest hour of any given winter is typically around 18°F, so the heat pump handles it solo. Older non-cold-climate heat pumps required backup; modern hyper-heat units do not.
03 /

How loud is a heat pump compared to a furnace?

+
The outdoor unit of a quality cold-climate heat pump runs at 51 to 58 dB at full load, which is roughly equivalent to a quiet conversation. The indoor air handler runs at 35 to 45 dB, quieter than a typical fridge. Furnaces are silent indoors but you may have venting noise; heat pumps are silent indoors with a slight constant outdoor hum.
04 /

What happens to my old gas furnace?

+
We remove, recycle, and properly dispose of your existing equipment as part of the install. The gas line is capped at the source and labeled. If you want to keep the gas line live for a stove or water heater, we coordinate with PSE on the partial disconnect.
05 /

Do you handle the PSE rebate paperwork?

+
Yes. As a PSE Trade Ally, we apply the $1,200 rebate as an instant discount on your quote. You don't fill out forms, you don't wait for reimbursement, you don't get billed twice. The rebate is netted from your invoice the day we install.
06 /

Will a heat pump cool my house in summer?

+
Yes. The same unit that heats your home in winter cools it in summer. That's one of the biggest advantages over a gas furnace, which can't provide A/C without a separate condenser. A 4-ton heat pump handles cooling for a 2,400 sq ft Seattle home comfortably. During summer wildfire smoke events, the system runs in fan-only mode with the filtration package we install as part of our IAQ service.
07 /

What's the difference between a heat pump and a ductless mini-split?

+
Same technology, different distribution. A whole-home heat pump uses ductwork to distribute conditioned air centrally. A ductless mini-split delivers conditioned air directly into specific rooms via wall-mounted heads. Mini-splits are ideal for additions, ADUs, or homes without ductwork; central heat pumps are ideal for homes that already have good ducts. We install both and can mix them on the same property.
08 /

How long do heat pumps last in Seattle's climate?

+
15 to 20 years with annual maintenance. PNW's mild summers reduce thermal cycling, which is the biggest stressor on compressors. The biggest enemy of heat pump longevity here is salt air (Puget Sound proximity) and improper sizing, both of which we address during the consult and install. Our maintenance plans protect your investment.
09 /

Are heat pumps worth it for Seattle homes specifically?

+
Yes for most homes. The combination of mild winters, PSE rebate stacking with the federal IRA credit, lower electric rates than gas, and dual-purpose use (heating + cooling from one unit) makes the math work in Seattle better than it does in colder climates. We compared the operating economics in detail in this guide.
Helpful next steps

Pages homeowners read after this one.

Electrical Electrical panel upgrades

Often bundles with heat pump installs when the existing panel is 100A or maxed out.

→
HVAC Furnace installation

For homeowners who'd rather stay on gas, we still install high-efficiency furnaces and will be honest about which option pencils out better for your home.

→
HVAC HVAC maintenance plans

Annual tune-ups protect the manufacturer warranty and extend equipment life by years.

→
Blog How heat pump costs really work in Seattle

Deeper-dive guide with neighborhood-by-neighborhood pricing.

→
Get your heat pump quote

PSE Trade Ally with the $1,200 rebate priced into your quote.

On-site Manual J load calc, written estimate in 24 to 48 hours, no high-pressure sales scripts. We answer Mon-Sun, 7 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week.

Call (206) 200-9134 → Schedule online
Hours Mon-Sun · 7 AM – 8 PM
Service area King · Pierce · Snohomish
Email blacklotushvac@icloud.com

Free on-site Manual J load calc. PSE Trade Ally with $1,200 instant rebate priced in. Master electrician on every consult. Same-day diagnostic within 35 minutes of Bellevue.

Call (206) 200-9134 · Free quote