Heat Pump Installation in Northglenn

Many houses from this era still have 100-amp service, sometimes less. A heat pump outdoor unit needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit, and an all-electric system with 10 kW of backup strips adds about 42 amps more. That's why dual fuel is so common in Northglenn: it uses the gas furnace as backup and avoids the strip-heat circuit. If you want to go all-electric, HomeGuide's national range for a 100-to-200-amp upgrade is $1,300–$1,600. That's a market figure, not our price, and the work is permitted separately.

The area averages about 45 inches of snow a year, and the record low is -24°F, set in December 1990. A heat pump's outdoor coil must stay clear of drifts, and defrost cycles produce meltwater that has to drain without refreezing into a block of ice. We mount units on raised stands, away from roof edges without gutters and out of drift paths, and keep clear airflow around the coil.

For sizing, we use the Adams County design temperature of about 5°F and a room-by-room Manual J, corrected for the roughly 5,360-foot elevation. We pick equipment by its published 5°F capacity. Our winter performance guide explains what to expect below that.

Xcel Energy provides gas and electricity in Northglenn, so Xcel heat pump rebates apply. Installers report reductions on October 1, 2026, to about $1,500 per heating ton for cold-climate equipment for gas customers, so confirm with Xcel. The city is a DRCOG member, so Power Ahead Colorado's $1,500 is available for existing homes with contractor pre-approval. The Colorado heat pump tax credit adds at least $333 off your invoice in 2026. The federal 25C credit ended after 2025.

On operating cost, a 95% gas furnace still usually wins in cold weather at current Colorado prices. A heat pump pays off fastest when it takes over most of the heating from an old 80% furnace, or when it replaces an AC that's due anyway. Our dual-fuel guide walks through switchover settings.

Northglenn's Building Division at City Hall, with building services provided by SAFEbuilt (303-450-8745), issues the mechanical permit. We file it, coordinate electrical permitting for a new circuit or panel and schedule the inspection.

Before any of that, you'll get a free estimate with upfront written pricing. It lists the equipment, its 5°F capacity, the backup-heat plan and any duct or panel work, so nothing comes as a surprise. Financing is available.