Heat Pump Installation in Central Vermont

A cold-climate heat pump can heat your home through a Vermont January and cool it in August, all from one system. Premier Heating and AC installs heat pumps for homes and businesses in Barre, Montpelier, Berlin and the surrounding Central Vermont towns. Most of our installs are Daikin systems, sized for your house and set up to work with the furnace or boiler you already have. We're an Efficiency Vermont contractor, so we'll help you sort out which rebates you may qualify for before you commit.

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

Why Central Vermont Homes Are Switching to Heat Pumps

Winter around Barre and Montpelier is long. The weather station at Knapp State Airport in Berlin logs more than 8,000 heating degree days in a typical year, and winter design temperatures sit well below zero. Heating oil is still the most common home heating fuel in Vermont, and when oil and propane prices jump, so do winter bills.

A heat pump doesn't burn fuel. It uses electricity to move heat from the outdoor air into your home, and in summer it runs in reverse to cool. Today's cold-climate models keep putting out heat well below zero. Many homeowners keep their existing oil or propane system as backup for the coldest nights and let the heat pump carry the rest of the season.

The Types of Heat Pumps We Install

The right system depends on your house, not on what's sitting in a warehouse.

• Ductless mini-splits. A wall-mounted, floor-mounted or ceiling cassette unit in each zone, connected to an outdoor unit. Best for homes without ductwork, additions, finished attics and bedrooms that never get warm. See Ductless Mini-Split Installation.

• Slim-duct (concealed ducted) units. A small air handler hidden in a ceiling, attic or closet that serves a few rooms through short ducts, for people who don't want wall-mounted heads.

• Multi-zone systems. One outdoor unit runs several indoor heads, so you can heat and cool different rooms at different temperatures.

• Ducted heat pumps. A whole-home split system that uses your existing ducts, often paired with a gas, propane or oil furnace through a Daikin or Bosch A-coil for backup heat. Daikin FIT outdoor units fit tight side yards. See Ducted Heat Pumps & Central Air.

We install Daikin, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi heat pumps and mini-splits because they hold up in our climate and are backed by strong manufacturer warranties. We're also a Daikin Elite Contractor. We service all major brands.

How a Premier Heat Pump Installation Works

1. Free in-home estimate. Tony or one of our techs walks the house with you, looks at your current heating, insulation, windows and electrical panel, and asks how you actually use each room.

2. Sizing and layout. We size the system to your home's heat loss, so it isn't too small for January or too big to run efficiently. Then we pick indoor unit locations and plan the line set route.

3. Clear quote. You get a written price, the equipment model numbers, and the rebates and financing that may apply.

4. Clean installation. We set the outdoor unit on a stand or wall bracket above the snow line, run refrigerant lines in line-hide or through the walls where possible, and connect and test everything. On one three-zone install, the homeowner didn't want any line-hide showing, so we ran the lines through the walls and came out right at each unit.

5. Walkthrough. We show you the remote and the settings, and explain how to run the heat pump alongside your backup heat.

Rebates, Financing and Your Budget

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. Rebate amounts and eligibility change, so we confirm current numbers at your estimate instead of guessing on a web page.

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.

Protect Your Investment With Yearly Maintenance

Heat pumps lose efficiency when their coils and blower wheels get dirty. Our maintenance plans start at $19.99 a month and include annual system care, priority scheduling and an extended labor warranty on new installs. Buy a plan within one year of installation to qualify for the extended labor warranty. See HVAC Maintenance Plans and Heat Pump Cleaning & Maintenance.

Why Homeowners Choose Premier Heating and AC

• Locally owned and based at 3 Karl Circle in Berlin, a few minutes from Barre and Montpelier

• Daikin Elite Contractor

• Efficiency Vermont contractor and BBB Accredited

• Daikin, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi heat pump and mini-split installs

• 24/7 emergency service for everyone, no membership required

• Owner-led: you deal with Tony, not a call center

"Tony came out promptly and gave us his professional opinion on what unit would suit our circumstances best. The unit was installed within two weeks… Our mini-split worked like a charm keeping us cool during the last hot spell of summer, and now it is keeping us warm during the first cold snap of fall." Sven, mini-split install

Frequently Asked Questions

Do heat pumps really work in a Central Vermont winter?

Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps like the Daikin, Fujitsu and Mitsubishi systems we install keep heating well below zero. Many Central Vermont homes keep an oil or propane furnace or boiler as backup for the coldest nights, and we can set the two systems up to work together.

Can I keep my oil or propane system when I add a heat pump?

Yes, and many of our customers do. The heat pump handles most of the heating season, and your existing furnace or boiler covers the coldest stretches or acts as backup if you ever lose the heat pump.

Are there rebates for heat pumps in Vermont?

Often, yes. Efficiency Vermont and utility rebates may apply depending on the equipment and your home. As an Efficiency Vermont contractor, we'll tell you what your project may qualify for and help with the paperwork. We confirm current amounts at your estimate.

How long does a heat pump installation take?

A single-zone mini-split (one indoor and one outdoor unit) takes one day. Whole-home systems take 4 to 6 days. We give you a timeline with your quote.

What size heat pump do I need?

It depends on your home's heat loss: square footage, insulation, windows and air leaks. We size every system at a free in-home estimate instead of guessing from square footage alone.

Do you offer financing?

Yes. 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.

Ready to cut your heating bills? Call or text 802-522-0818 for a free heat pump estimate in Barre, Montpelier, Berlin or anywhere in Central Vermont.

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