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Heating and cooling in one system
Heat Pump Repair and Installation in Los Angeles
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also run in reverse to heat your home. LA’s mild winters suit it well, and LADWP pays far more in rebates for heat pumps than for standard AC. When one breaks, you lose both heating and cooling, so it needs a technician who knows them.
- Repairs on all major brands, ducted and ductless
- Installs sized by load calculation, with permit and HERS testing
- Rebate paperwork explained before you buy, not after
LADWP heat pump rebates
Consumer Rebate Program, checked October 2026.
- Ducted heat pump $1,000 to $1,250 per ton
- Ductless mini-split heat pump $1,500 to $2,500 per ton
- Standard central AC, for comparison $100 to $120 per ton
Needs an AHRI certificate, itemized paid invoice and final LADBS permit; apply within 12 months. First-come, first-served. Check ladwp.com/CRP before you buy.
The short answer
Is a Heat Pump a Good Choice in Los Angeles?
For most LA homes, yes. Heat pumps work best where winters are mild, and the LA basin and most of the San Fernando Valley rarely see the hard freezes that challenge them elsewhere. One system covers summer cooling and winter heating, and there is no gas furnace to maintain.
The money side changed in 2026. For LADWP customers, a ducted heat pump can earn $1,000 to $1,250 per ton, compared with $100 to $120 per ton for a standard AC. On a 4 ton system that is roughly $4,000 to $5,000 versus $400 to $480. At the same time, TECH Clean California’s single-family incentives were fully reserved during 2026, and the federal 25C tax credit is not available for systems installed after December 31, 2025. So the LADWP rebate is now the main incentive for City of LA homes.
Repairs
Common Heat Pump Problems We Fix
| What you notice | Likely causes |
|---|---|
| Not cooling or heating at all | Failed capacitor or contactor, thermostat wiring, tripped breaker, control board |
| Cools fine but will not heat (or the reverse) | Reversing valve or its solenoid, thermostat set-up, control board |
| Blowing lukewarm air in heat mode | Low refrigerant from a leak, dirty coil, outdoor fan problem, stuck in defrost |
| Outdoor unit steaming in winter | Usually normal defrost. A unit that iced solid and stays iced is not. |
| Runs constantly, high power bill | Dirty coils, leaking ducts, low charge, auxiliary heat strips running too much |
| Loud buzzing, rattling or grinding | Fan motor, loose panels, contactor chatter, compressor trouble |
Because heat pumps run in both seasons, they rack up more hours than a cooling-only AC. That is why they benefit from maintenance twice a year, in spring and fall. Many heat pump parts are shared with AC systems, so capacitors ($150 to $400), contactors ($150 to $350) and fan motors ($400 to $800) cost about the same as on an AC.
Installation
What a Heat Pump Costs to Install in LA
| System | Typical LA installed range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Ducted heat pump (replacing AC and furnace) | $9,000 to $17,000 |
| Single-zone ductless heat pump (mini-split) | $4,000 to $7,000 |
| Multi-zone ductless heat pump | $10,000 to $18,000 |
| Electrical panel upgrade, if needed | $2,500 to $5,000 |
A panel upgrade is the hidden cost to check early. Many older LA homes have 100 amp panels, and switching from a gas furnace to an all-electric heat pump can push them over capacity. A good contractor checks your panel before quoting.
Heat pump or furnace
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace in LA
- Climate: LA winters are mild, which is where heat pumps are most efficient. A gas furnace makes more sense in mountain areas with long cold spells.
- One system or two: a heat pump replaces both the AC and the furnace. If both are old, replacing them with one heat pump is often simpler.
- Rebates: LADWP heat pump rebates are 8 to 10 times higher per ton than its standard AC rebate.
- Running costs: these depend on your electricity and gas rates (LADWP or SCE, plus SoCalGas), so compare your own bills before deciding.
- Comfort: heat pumps deliver steady, lower-temperature warm air instead of short blasts of hot air. Most people like it. Some notice the difference at first.
Rebates
How to Actually Get the LADWP Heat Pump Rebate
- Confirm you are an LADWP customer. Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena have their own utilities, and West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Culver City are served by SCE.
- Choose a qualifying system and get its AHRI certificate.
- Make sure the job is permitted with LADBS and passes final inspection.
- Keep the itemized, paid invoice.
- Apply within 12 months of purchase. Funding is first-come, first-served, so do not wait.
New construction and ADUs are excluded. Rebate amounts change, so check ladwp.com/CRP before you buy.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the LADWP heat pump rebate?
As of October 2026, LADWP’s Consumer Rebate Program pays $1,000 to $1,250 per ton for ducted heat pumps and $1,500 to $2,500 per ton for ductless mini-split heat pumps, depending on efficiency. You need an AHRI certificate, a paid invoice and a final LADBS permit, and must apply within 12 months.
How much does a heat pump cost in Los Angeles?
A ducted heat pump typically costs about $9,000 to $17,000 installed in LA in 2026, and a single-zone ductless heat pump about $4,000 to $7,000, before rebates.
Do heat pumps work in Los Angeles winters?
Yes. LA’s mild winters are ideal for heat pumps. They lose efficiency in long hard freezes, which are rare in the LA basin and the Valley.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air in heat mode?
It may be in a normal defrost cycle, which lasts a few minutes. If it continues, common causes are a reversing valve problem, low refrigerant, a thermostat set-up error or a control board fault.
Is the federal heat pump tax credit still available?
The federal 25C credit is not available for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Check with a tax professional about your situation.
How long does a heat pump last?
Heat pumps often last a little less than cooling-only ACs because they run all year. Regular spring and fall maintenance helps them last longer.
Related
Related Services and Guides
AC installation
Compare a standard AC replacement with a heat pump.
Ductless mini-splits
Ductless heat pumps for homes without ducts.
Heating and furnaces
Furnace repair and heating options for LA homes.
AC maintenance
Spring and fall service for year-round systems.
Heat pump not working, or thinking of switching?
Call for heat pump repair, or for an honest comparison of a heat pump versus a new AC and furnace, rebates included.
Last updated October 2026. Prices are published 2026 Los Angeles market ranges, not quotes. Rules and rebates change, so check the official source before you buy.