Heat Pump Repair & Installation

The first question on a heat pump project is not which brand, it is what the house needs and what it costs to heat it. We run a Manual J load calculation, then compare operating costs honestly against your current fuel.

In a home with Washington Gas natural gas service, a dual fuel setup that runs the heat pump through most of the season and switches to the gas furnace on the coldest nights is often the better answer, and we will say so rather than selling a full electric conversion you did not need. Ductwork gets measured, because heat pumps deliver air at a lower supply temperature than a furnace and undersized returns show up immediately as rooms that feel drafty.

On service calls, diagnosis covers both modes. We check the reversing valve, the defrost board and sensors, the outdoor coil condition, refrigerant charge by superheat and subcool, and whether auxiliary heat strips are engaging when they should instead of running constantly. A heat pump that quietly heats on strips is a bill problem long before it is a comfort problem.

Ducted heat pumps replace a conventional AC and furnace pairing and use the existing duct system, which makes them the straightforward path in most single family homes here. Ductless mini-splits handle additions, finished attics and basements, sunrooms and condos where running duct is impractical, and they give you independent control room by room. Dual fuel pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace and switches between them at a balance point we set for your house and your utility rates.

Efficiency is rated in SEER2 for cooling and HSPF2 for heating, and cold climate rated equipment publishes its capacity at low outdoor temperatures, which is the number that actually matters in February. New systems are moving from R-410A to lower global warming potential refrigerants such as R-454B, which changes service parts and handling but not how the system runs for you.

Backup heat still deserves attention: strips sized correctly and staged properly, or a gas furnace as the second stage. We also handle thermostats and controls, which is where a lot of heat pump comfort complaints are actually solved.

A heat pump behaves differently from a furnace and it helps to know that going in. Supply air feels cooler to the hand even when the house is holding temperature, cycles run longer, and the outdoor unit will periodically go into a defrost cycle, steaming and running the fan in a way that looks alarming and is completely normal. We explain all of it before we leave.

On service calls, expect the technician to test the system in both heating and cooling modes rather than only the one that failed, because the reversing valve, defrost control and charge affect both. Auxiliary heat gets checked specifically, since strips running when they should not are the usual cause of a surprising Pepco bill. Repairs are priced before work begins, and military members and seniors receive 10 percent off any repair. Installations are covered by our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, and 24-hour emergency service is available when a heat pump quits during a cold snap.

Warranty coverage

Heat pump equipment carries manufacturer parts coverage that varies by brand and model, with compressors often covered longer than other components. Nearly every manufacturer requires registration within a limited window after installation to receive the full published term, so we register your system and give you the confirmation rather than leaving it in a folder. As a Carrier authorized company we process Carrier warranty claims directly, and we service other major brands as well.

Our workmanship coverage is separate from the factory warranty and is stated in writing on your contract, backed by our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Because a heat pump runs year round, annual maintenance matters more than it does on a cooling only system, and some manufacturers require documented service to honor a claim. Work is performed under Maryland HVACR license MD70918. We are NATE certified, an ACCA member, and BBB accredited with an A+ rating.

Available incentives

Heat pumps attract more incentive money than any other residential HVAC equipment right now. Home Comfort Air Services participates in the Pepco and BGE residential rebate programs, run under Maryland EmPOWER, which offer rebates on qualifying high efficiency ducted and ductless heat pumps. Most of Montgomery and Prince George's County is Pepco territory, with BGE serving portions to the north and east, and the program you qualify for follows the utility on your electric bill.

The federal Section 25C credit that used to apply to this equipment ended for anything placed in service after December 31, 2025. Dual fuel projects may also touch Washington Gas rebate programs on the furnace side. Qualifying model lists, thresholds and amounts change from year to year, so we confirm current terms during the proposal and provide the AHRI certificate and itemized invoice you will need.