Heat Pump Installation in Berthoud

Larimer County's ENERGY STAR design temperature is 3°F, and Weld County's is 0°F. We run a Manual J at the right value for your address and choose equipment by its published low-temperature output, corrected for altitude; NREL measured about 5 to 7 percent less capacity at Golden's elevation than at sea level. Below the heat pump's balance point, the furnace or backup strips take over. Our sizing guide walks through it.

Homes in Heron Lakes, Fickel Farms, Westside Crossing, Prairie Star and Vantage generally have central ducts, condenser pads and electrical service that can support a heat pump. When the original AC fails, replacing it with a cold-climate heat pump and adding dual-fuel controls to the existing furnace costs only modestly more than a straight AC. In tighter newer homes, the heat pump can often carry most of the winter.

Patio homes and townhomes need a little more planning. Outdoor units sit close together, and a heat pump runs year-round, so we leave room for winter defrost drainage and keep it away from walkways where meltwater could refreeze. HOA rules on equipment placement and screening apply here too.

Older houses near the historic core may have small ducts and limited electrical service. Ductless mini-splits avoid the duct problem, and keeping the gas furnace as backup avoids a panel upgrade. We check the panel and ducts before recommending a design.

Many of these homes never had central air, so a ductless heat pump adds cooling for the first time while trimming gas use in spring and fall. Indoor heads go in the main living area and bedrooms, and the existing heat stays in place for the coldest nights. Our ductless guide shows typical layouts.

The Town of Berthoud requires permits for heating and cooling equipment, and contractors must be licensed with the town. The 2024 International codes apply. We file the permit, coordinate the electrical work and schedule the inspection.

At current prices, a high-efficiency gas furnace usually costs less per unit of heat on the coldest nights, while the heat pump wins in milder weather. We set the dual-fuel switchover from your Xcel rates. See our dual-fuel guide.