Your furnace is tired, your AC is on the same schedule, and someone told you a heat pump could replace both. In West Los Angeles that is a fair question. A heat pump heats and cools from one outdoor unit, so heat pump installation is really a swap of your whole comfort system. This page walks through what the work looks like, in order, so nothing on install day catches you off guard.
Survey and sizing
Nothing gets ordered until we have walked the house. We look at the rooms, the windows, the attic, the walls and the way the sun hits each side. Then we run a room-by-room load calculation on paper.
That number, not the size of the old unit, decides the size of the new one. Old equipment is often the wrong size from day one, and copying it repeats the mistake. An oversized system short-cycles. An undersized one runs without catching up.
We also check where the outdoor unit can go. In Palms, Century City and Cheviot Hills that means looking at lot lines, neighbors and HOA rules before anyone picks a spot.
Ducted or ductless
You have two paths, and we write both up side by side.
- Ducted heat pump. Uses the duct system you already have, if it is in good shape. Suits a house already has working supply and return runs.
- Ductless heat pump. Wall or ceiling units fed by a small line set. Good for additions, converted garages, and homes where ducts are failing or were never there.
- A mix. Ducted for the main house, ductless for the one room the ducts never cooled well.
The duct question matters more than the brand question. Tight, properly sized ducts let a heat pump do its job. Leaky or undersized ducts waste it. If yours need work, we plan the return and duct changes into the install, not as a later problem. See our ductwork services and ductless mini split pages for how each option works.
Electrical panel checks
A heat pump is an electric appliance, so the panel gets a look before install day. We check three things.
- Whether the panel has room for a new breaker.
- Whether the existing wiring and disconnect suit the new unit.
- Whether the panel itself is in shape to take the added load.
Most panel questions are answered in the survey visit. If the panel needs an upgrade, that goes into the written quote as its own line, so you see it before you agree to anything. Electric service for most of West LA comes from LADWP.
Install day
Install day is planned, not improvised. Here is the usual order.
- The crew protects floors and walkways, then removes the old furnace and outdoor unit.
- The new outdoor unit goes on its pad, and the indoor coil or air handler goes in.
- Refrigerant lines, condensate drain, wiring and thermostat get connected.
- Any duct or return changes from the survey are finished.
- The system is started, tested in heating and cooling, and walked through with you.
New residential heat pumps are built with lower-GWP A2L refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32, so the equipment and the tools used on it differ from older R-410A systems. Your crew knows the difference. You do not need to.
If you want a smart thermostat set up at the same time, ask. It is a short add-on during the same visit.
LADBS permit, Title 24 testing
Replacing a heat pump, furnace, AC or ductwork in California is permitted work. In West Los Angeles the permit comes from LADBS, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. We handle the mechanical permit and the final inspection on every replacement.
Title 24 Part 6 is California's Building Energy Efficiency Standard. Depending on the scope, a change-out or duct work can require duct sealing and a duct leakage test. That test is verified by a third-party HERS rater who is not the installer. We schedule it as part of the job so the permit can close.
If your home has a gas furnace today, the gas service is SoCalGas. If you ever smell gas, leave the house first and call SoCalGas or 911 from outside.
Learn more about the equipment side on our heating installation page, or see the West LA area page for the neighborhoods we cover.
FAQ
Can a heat pump replace both my furnace and my AC?
Yes, in most homes. One outdoor unit and one indoor unit handle heating and cooling. The survey tells us if your ducts, panel and layout support that.
How long does install day take?
It depends on the system type and how much duct work is involved. We give you the plan for your house in the written quote, so you know before the crew arrives.
Do I need an electrical panel upgrade?
Sometimes. We check the panel during the survey. If it needs work, that appears as its own line in the quote.
Is a permit required?
Yes. A heat pump replacement is permitted work in California. In West LA the permit is issued by LADBS, and we handle it along with the final inspection.
What does SEER2 mean?
SEER2 and HSPF2 are the current federal efficiency ratings, based on a test procedure that changed on 1 Jan 2023. Higher numbers mean more efficient equipment. We explain how each option compares in your written quote.
Can I keep my old ducts?
If they are sealed, sized right and in good shape, often yes. If not, we plan the fix into the install.
Ready to plan it? Call (877) 748-5845 and ask WLA Climate Group for a survey and a written install quote.
Need Professional HVAC Service?
Our HVAC-experienced technicians are ready to help with all your AC and heating needs. Contact WLA Climate Group today for expert service throughout the West LA and Rancho Park service area.
