Ducted Heat Pumps & Central Air Conditioning in Central Vermont

If your home already has ductwork, a ducted heat pump can heat and cool every room through the vents you already have. Premier Heating and AC installs whole-home split systems and central air for homes in Barre, Montpelier, Berlin and across Central Vermont. That includes "dual-fuel" setups that pair a heat pump with a propane or oil furnace for backup.

Call or text 802-522-0818 for a free estimate.

What Is a Ducted Heat Pump?

A ducted heat pump, also called a split system, works like a furnace and a central air conditioner in one. An outdoor unit moves heat with refrigerant and electricity. An indoor air handler, or a coil on top of your furnace, sends that warm or cool air through your ductwork.

In winter it pulls heat from the outdoor air, even when it's well below freezing. In summer it reverses and pulls heat out of the house. You get even temperatures throughout the house, quiet operation and one thermostat for the whole home.

Who Should Consider a Ducted System

Split systems need a whole-home duct system, so they work best for:

• Homes with an existing furnace. If you already heat with a propane or oil furnace, we can add a heat pump to the same ductwork.

• New construction and major renovations. Ducts can be designed around the heat pump from the start.

• Homeowners who want central air. If you're tired of window units, a ducted heat pump cools as well as any central AC and also heats.

• People who don't want indoor units on the wall. With a ducted system, all you see are the vents.

If your house has no ducts, which is common with Central Vermont's older boiler-heated homes, a ductless mini-split is usually the better fit. If you want a few rooms served without wall-mounted heads, a slim-duct unit hidden in a ceiling or closet is another option. We'll tell you honestly which option makes sense.

Dual-Fuel: Heat Pump Plus Furnace Backup

Many Central Vermont homeowners choose a dual-fuel system. The heat pump carries most of the heating season, and the propane or oil furnace takes over on the coldest nights. The furnace also serves as backup heat if anything ever goes wrong with the refrigeration side of the system.

That gives you:

• Lower fuel use for most of the year

• Strong heat when temperatures drop below zero

• Peace of mind, with two heat sources on one set of ducts

• Central air in summer from the same equipment

We set up the controls so the system switches between the heat pump and the furnace automatically, based on outdoor temperature and comfort.

Central Air Conditioning

Vermont summers keep getting hotter and more humid. Central air from a ducted heat pump or a dedicated AC condenser removes humidity and cools the whole house evenly. If your current central AC is old, noisy or blowing warm air, we can repair it or replace it with a heat pump that also heats. See Air Conditioning Installation & Repair.

Our Installation Process

1. Free in-home visit. We look at your existing furnace, ductwork, electrical service and the rooms that are always too hot or too cold.

2. Sizing and duct check. We size the system to your home's heating and cooling load and check whether your ducts can carry the airflow a heat pump needs. Leaky or undersized ducts can rob a new system of efficiency.

3. Written quote. You'll see the equipment, the scope of work, and the rebates and financing that may apply.

4. Installation. We install the outdoor unit above the snow line, the indoor coil or air handler, line sets, drains, controls and any duct fixes.

5. Startup and walkthrough. We test heating and cooling, confirm airflow and show you the thermostat.

Brands, Rebates and Financing

We're a Daikin Elite Contractor. We install every type of ducted heat pump system from Daikin, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi, and we service all major brands. That includes:

• Daikin FIT, a compact, side-discharge outdoor unit that fits tight spaces and pairs with a furnace or air handler

• Full air handlers for whole-home systems with new or existing ductwork

• Slim-duct (concealed ducted) air handlers hidden in a ceiling, attic or closet to serve a few rooms through short duct runs, with no wall-mounted heads

• Daikin and Bosch A-coils, add-on coils installed on your existing furnace so the heat pump and furnace share the same ducts

As an Efficiency Vermont contractor, we can tell you which Efficiency Vermont and utility rebates may apply to your project and help with the paperwork. Financing is available through Wisetack, with 0% interest for the first 3 months (subject to credit approval). As an Efficiency Vermont participating contractor, we can also help you with Efficiency Vermont loan options.

Keep Your System Efficient

Ducted systems need clean filters, clean coils and good airflow. Our maintenance plans start at $19.99 a month and cover annual system care for your heat pump and furnace, plus priority service and an extended labor warranty on new installs (purchase within one year of installation).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a heat pump to my existing furnace?

In many homes, yes. We install a Daikin or Bosch A-coil on your gas, propane or oil furnace and use the same ductwork. The furnace becomes backup heat for the coldest nights.

Is a ducted heat pump better than a mini-split?

Neither is better for every home. Ducted systems suit homes that already have good ductwork and owners who want no indoor units on the walls. Mini-splits suit homes without ducts and are often more efficient room by room. We'll recommend the one that fits your house.

Will my old ductwork work with a heat pump?

Often it will, but heat pumps need more airflow than some older furnace ducts were built for. We check your duct sizes and leaks during the estimate and tell you if anything needs to change.

Does a ducted heat pump replace central air?

Yes. A ducted heat pump cools your home just like central air, and it also heats in winter.

Are there rebates for ducted heat pumps in Vermont?

Efficiency Vermont and utility rebates may apply, depending on the equipment and your home. As an Efficiency Vermont contractor, we'll confirm current options at your estimate.

Get whole-home comfort from the ducts you already have. Call or text 802-522-0818 for a free ducted heat pump or central air estimate.

Call 802-522-0818 · Text 802-522-0818 · Schedule an Estimate