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

Heat pump costs in Seattle, Washington, average around $10,218. However, depending on the type of heat pump you install, the size of your home, the efficiency rating on the heat pump, and add-ons like ductwork replacement, the cost ranges from $6,667 to $13,852. With its mild climate, Seattle offers optimal conditions for a heat pump to provide year-round comfort via efficient heating and cooling.

Heat Pump Cost Factors

A heat pump is an energy-efficient alternative to traditional AC and furnace systems. The cost to install this device depends on a number of different factors, such as what capacity you need to properly heat or cool your home and the type of heat pump you choose. Here are some of the most common cost factors for installing a heat pump.

Size

What size heat pump do you need? That depends on the size of your home. For every 500 square feet, you can estimate one ton capacity for your heat pump. In Seattle, where the median home size is 1,890 square feet, you’d need a heat pump capacity of 2.5 to 3 tons.

Rather than just guessing on the size, let an HVAC pro in Seattle, Washington, determine the perfect fit for your heating and cooling needs.

Type

Next, it’s time to choose what type of heat pump is best for your home and local climate. Because Seattle has milder winters, an air-source heat pump is common for homes here. However, you can invest more in a longer lasting ground-source system, or combine your heat pump with solar for more energy cost savings.

Consider the following costs, as well as pros and cons, for different types of heat pumps.

Efficiency

Heat pump efficiency is measured by its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER. Different regions in the U.S. have minimum SEER requirements. For Seattle, the minimum SEER on HVAC systems is 14. If you can invest more money into a system with a higher SEER rating, it will pay off. Higher-efficiency units offer repeated cost savings on your utility bills.

Ductwork

Some heat pumps are available as ductless heating and cooling systems, but if you’re using a forced-air system, it’s important that your ductwork is in good condition. Otherwise, you’ll lose the heated and cooled air, wasting money and energy. Air duct replacement costs around $620 to $2,100.

Prep

For ground-source heat pump installation, you’ll need to prepare the site to lay the pipes, or ground loop, underground. In a major city like Seattle, you’ll want to budget more for land excavation and add these costs to your total heat pump installation cost. Land excavation costs about $1,810 to $5,510.

HVAC Pro Costs

Homeowners will pay around $80 to $150 per hour per worker for the cost of labor to install a heat pump. It can take a day to install an air-source heat pump or a few weeks for ground-source heat pumps.

Installations are complex, especially for ground-source models, and these devices have refrigerants. That means installation should always be handled by a licensed or certified heat pump pro near you.

You’ll also need the proper permits from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections before starting this project. Your HVAC pro will handle the permit process for you, adding the permit fees into the project cost. According to the Department of Construction & Inspections, the mechanical fee for a heat pump starts at $56.65 per unit, and you’ll also need a refrigeration fee, which costs a base fee of $39.90, plus $33.40 for units with up to a 5-ton capacity.

Does a Heat Pump Increase Home Value?

A heat pump can increase home value in Seattle by about 7%. This is an attractive home feature for buyers, because a heat pump offers both heating and cooling in one smaller appliance compared to a traditional HVAC system. Plus, with an electricity usage savings of around 25% to 50%, you can get a better return on your investment with a heat pump installation.

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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