Heat Pump Installation & Repair in Sacramento, CA

Heat Pump Services in Sacramento & the Surrounding Areas

Sacramento homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to manage high energy costs while maintaining comfort during blistering summers and foggy winters. Traditional systems often lead to high gas bills and uneven temperatures. A modern heat pump provides a single, high-efficiency solution that handles both heating and cooling without relying on combustion.

Since 2006, our team at Big Mountain Heating & Air Conditioning has been providing specialized comfort solutions to our neighbors. We are highly trained, tested, and certified experts ready to help you use the latest technology to improve your home. We focus on your unique needs to ensure you get a system that performs reliably for years.

Ready to simplify your home comfort and lower your bills? For expert service regarding Heat Pumps in Sacramento, call the trusted team at (916) 301-4315 or reach out to us online to schedule your visit.

Common Signs that You Need to Replace Your Current System

Deciding when to move away from a traditional furnace and air conditioner involves looking at both the age of your equipment and its current performance. As systems age, they often struggle to keep up with Sacramento's heat, leading to frequent repairs and inconsistent airflow. If you find yourself calling for service every season, it may be time to consider the long-term savings of a heat pump.

A heat pump is an excellent choice for those wanting to modernize their home’s infrastructure. Because it moves heat rather than generating it, it operates with a level of efficiency that older units simply cannot match. If your current setup is loud, inefficient, or nearing the end of its typical lifespan, an upgrade can provide immediate relief.

• Rising Monthly Utility Bills: If your energy costs are climbing despite normal usage, your current system is likely working harder than necessary to maintain temperatures.
• Frequent and Costly Repairs: Spending money on an aging furnace or AC every year is a sign that the components are failing and a full replacement is a better investment.
• Uneven Heating and Cooling: If some rooms remain cold while others are too warm, your system is no longer distributing air effectively throughout your home.
• Excessive System Noise: Grinding, squealing, or loud cycling sounds indicate that the motor or compressor is under significant stress and may fail soon.
• Interest in All-Electric Living: If you want to move away from gas appliances, a heat pump is the essential first step in electrifying your home’s climate control.

What Is a Heat Pump? 

A heat pump is a type of heating and cooling system that transfers warm air to maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home. When used in heating mode, a heat pump pulls warmth from the air outside and transfers it inside; when used in cooling mode, it does the opposite by taking warm air from inside and moving it outside. 

Notably, heat pumps do not generate heat. Unlike a furnace, which creates heat, heat pumps simply transfer heat by absorbing it and moving it to the desired area. In this way, heat pumps work much like traditional air conditioners when in cooling mode. 

In our region, many homeowners are interested in heat pumps because they perform well in the typical Sacramento climate, where temperatures rarely stay extreme for long periods. A properly selected system can provide gentle, even temperatures instead of the larger swings you might get from older gas furnaces or dated air conditioners. As utility rates change and local building codes continue to encourage efficient equipment, more households are looking to heat pumps as a practical way to manage comfort and energy use together.

What Are The Different Types of Heat Pumps? 

There are two main types of heat pumps: 

• Air-source heat pumps: An air-source heat pump works by transferring warm air from inside a home to outside the home and vice versa. These are the most common types of heat pumps used for residential heating and cooling, as they are relatively affordable to install.
• Ground-source heat pumps: Ground-source heat pumps, also known as “geothermal systems,” transfer heat from the ground outside into your home and vice versa. Though they are more expensive to install, ground-source heat pumps are more efficient than air-source models.

Both air-source and ground-source heat pumps offer effective heating and cooling. Aside from how they work, the initial cost of installation is what sets these systems apart. However, both provide highly efficient heating and cooling with relatively low operation costs. 

What Are The Components of a Heat Pump?

• Indoor unit: The indoor unit, or air handler, contains a fan and a coil. In cooling mode, the coil serves as the evaporator; in heating mode, it works as a condenser. The fan, meanwhile, pushes air across the coil and throughout the air ducts. 
• Outdoor unit: The outdoor unit also contains both a fan and a coil. With the outdoor unit, the coil acts as a condenser in cooling mode and an evaporator in heating mode. The fan aids in the exchange of heat by moving air across the coil.

Heat pumps also contain refrigerant, which absorbs heat, a compressor, a reversing valve, and an expansion valve. These components work together to transfer heat and effectively heat or cool the air inside your home.

When any of these parts begin to wear or fail, you may notice symptoms like unusual noises, short cycling, or uneven temperatures from room to room. During a heat pump service visit, we inspect coils, electrical connections, and airflow to catch small issues before they turn into major repairs. Because Sacramento homes range from older bungalows to newer construction with different duct layouts, we also pay close attention to how the system is interacting with your existing ventilation so you get consistent comfort throughout the house.

What Are The Benefits of Heat Pump Installation?

Heat pumps are versatile HVAC systems that deliver reliable heating and cooling. Though they are called “heat” pumps, these systems also function as effective air conditioning in many residential homes. Heat pumps are installed outside of the home where they work to either transfer warm air inside or remove warm air from inside the home, depending on the season and your comfort preferences. 

Benefits of a heat pump installation include:

• Year-round comfort with both heating and cooling functions
• Lower energy consumption compared to traditional heating systems
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Longer lifespan than traditional HVAC systems
• Potential savings on monthly utility bills