Heat Pump Installation in Firestone

Barefoot Lakes launched in 2016, and some of its homes are only a few years old. If your current equipment is working, there's no reason to replace it early. When the AC does need replacing, a heat pump is a small step up. Power Ahead Colorado excludes new construction, but a finished, occupied home that later replaces equipment is a retrofit.

Weld County's ENERGY STAR design temperature is 0°F, colder than most of the metro. Firestone is fairly low, at about 4,856 feet, but its open plains exposure brings wind and drifting snow. We size to 0°F, select equipment by its published low-temperature output with an altitude correction (NREL measured about 5–7% less capacity in Golden than at sea level), and mount units on raised, anchored stands away from drift zones. Our winter performance guide covers defrost and backup heat.

Black Hills Energy and United Power are listed as the gas and electric providers for Barefoot Lakes, and many Firestone homes use the same pair; confirm by your bills. Black Hills Energy's 2026 Colorado gas rebate application has no electric heat pump measure, though it lists $350 or $375 for a 95% or 97% AFUE furnace if a dual-fuel project includes one, with applications due January 31, 2027. United Power has its own member program; we couldn't confirm its 2026 heat pump amounts, so call the co-op. If you're on Xcel instead, Xcel's rebates apply; installers report they changed October 1, 2026.

Firestone is on DRCOG's member list, so Power Ahead Colorado's $1,500 applies to existing homes when a verified contractor gets pre-approval before work starts. The Colorado heat pump tax credit is $1,000 in 2026, with at least $333 discounted on the invoice. Federal 25C no longer applies to new installs.

The town's Building Division, at 9950 Park Avenue, lists a residential A/C and/or furnace replacement permit in its fee schedule, and adding new AC carries an electrical fee. We apply for it and book the inspection. At current prices, gas heat is usually cheaper per unit than heat pump heat, so most homeowners here do best with dual fuel. Ask United Power about time-of-day rates before setting the switchover. Our dual-fuel guide walks through it.