How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost in San Francisco? [2025 Data]

At $10,134, the average heat pump cost in San Francisco, California, is far higher than the national average, thanks to the city’s steep cost of living. If you’re hoping to install a heat pump here, you can expect to spend between $5,014 and $15,986, depending on the heat pump’s type, efficiency rating, and other factors. Here’s everything you need to know to estimate your heat pump costs in San Francisco.

Heat Pump Cost Factors in San Francisco

The type, size, and efficiency rating of your heat pump are some of the main variables that influence your San Francisco heat pump installation costs. Let’s break down each of these factors.

Type of Heat Pump

Air-source heat pumps (including mini-splits) and ground-source heat pumps are the most popular types of heat pumps for homes.

If you’re on a tight budget, the most affordable option is a ductless mini-split, which doesn’t require ductwork (but can only cool one room at a time). Ground-source heat pumps (or geothermal heat pumps) can provide whole-home cooling but require ample land to install an underground system of pipes—which isn’t always feasible in San Francisco.

Heat Pump Size

Heat pumps also come in a range of sizes—and the size you choose will affect your overall costs. Heat pump sizes are listed in tons or British Thermal Units (BTUs), which measure the unit’s heating and cooling capacity. Smaller heat pumps are less expensive than larger units due to their more limited heating and cooling capacity.

If you buy an air-source heat pump, here’s how its size—in tons or BTUs—will influence its price: 

Heat Pump Efficiency

While you’re shopping for heat pumps, you’ll notice that there are different efficiency ratings for heating and cooling:

• Heating efficiency: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) or HSPF2

• Cooling efficiency: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) or SEER2

The higher the heat pump’s HSPF or SEER rating, the more efficiently it uses energy to heat or cool your space. Since high-efficiency heat pumps consume less power than standard-efficiency units, they can help you spend less on electricity. However, they’re more expensive up front, which you can see below:

Ductwork Replacement or Installation

If your existing ductwork is damaged, moldy, inefficient, or a bad match for your new heat pump, you might need to repair or replace it when installing your heat pump. For an average home in San Francisco, replacing ductwork costs between $886 and $3,159. Your total will depend on the amount of ductwork you need to replace, the duct material, and other factors.

On the other hand, if your home doesn’t have a duct system, you’ll need to add one (unless you choose a ductless heat pump). Installing ductwork can be time-consuming and pricey, often costing $3,000 to $7,500 per 300 linear feet.

HVAC Pro Costs in San Francisco

To finish estimating your heat pump installation costs, you’ll need to factor in a few more things, including labor, permits, and San Francisco’s sales tax.

Licensing and Certification

Before you hire an HVAC contractor to install your heat pump, make sure they have an active C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

To legally handle refrigerant, your HVAC pro in San Francisco, California, also needs a Section 608 Technician Certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Finally, consider hiring a contractor who’s certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE), the country’s biggest non-profit certification program for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) professionals. A NATE certification is optional, but if your installer has one, it means they have up-to-date knowledge, skills, and safety training and several years of experience in the field.

Permits

In San Francisco, you need a mechanical permit to install a heat pump. Currently, this type of permit costs about $200. If your contractor is registered with the city, they can apply for mechanical permits online.

Sales Tax

San Francisco’s combined sales tax rate is 8.625%. If you buy a heat pump in the city, be sure to factor this into your overall costs. For example, if you choose a $2,500 heat pump, the sales tax would add $216 to your total.

Rebates

There are various rebates available to San Franciscans who install energy-efficient heat pumps. With TECH Clean California, for example, you can earn a rebate of $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the specifics of your project.

Does Installing a Heat Pump Increase Home Value in San Francisco?

If you’re thinking about selling your home, a new heat pump can boost its value by 5% to 7% and earn the attention of buyers—especially if you invest in an efficient unit. Since high-efficiency heat pumps consume less electricity, they can be particularly attractive to buyers in the Bay Area, where electricity is 110.2% more expensive than the national average, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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