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System Replacement

Heat Pump Replacement in Lakewood

Stop patching a failing system, get correctly sized, fully installed equipment that handles both seasons.

  • Written Estimate First
  • Altitude-Adjusted Sizing
  • Post-Install Check
  • Local Installers
An outdoor electrical standby generator sits next to a white brick wall, with an excavator bucket and a shovel digging in the soil around its base.

What Goes Wrong

Why some replacements repeat the same comfort problems

Swapping the outdoor unit without checking the rest of the system is the most common reason a new heat pump underperforms from day one.

Wrong Tonnage Again

Matching the old unit’s tonnage copies any original sizing error, leaving the home under- or over-conditioned in both seasons.

Manual J Calculation

A fresh load calculation sets the correct tonnage for the home’s actual square footage, insulation, and Colorado altitude.

Aged Coil Left In

Pairing a new condenser with an old evaporator coil cuts efficiency and can void the equipment manufacturer’s warranty immediately.

Full System Assessment

The indoor air handler, evaporator coil, and copper line set are all evaluated before the replacement scope is written.

Leaky Ducts Ignored

Pressure losses in an uninspected duct system starve the new equipment of airflow and recreate the same uneven room temperatures.

Duct Pressure Test

The existing duct system is pressure-tested to confirm it can carry the new system’s airflow before equipment is ordered.

Panel Capacity Missed

An undersized breaker or shared circuit causes nuisance trips and can damage the new equipment within the first heating season.

Electrical Panel Check

Breaker capacity and dedicated circuit availability are confirmed before installation begins, not discovered mid-job.

Replacement Scope

What the replacement covers beyond the outdoor unit

A full swap addresses every component that affects how the new system performs, not just the condenser sitting outside.

Thermostat Replacement

Old thermostats swapped for a compatible new unit.

Auxiliary Heat Sizing

Heat strip sized for coldest nights without overshooting.

Old Equipment Removal

Existing outdoor and indoor units removed after startup.

End-of-Life System Swap

What a full heat pump replacement involves beyond the outdoor unit

Replacing a heat pump correctly means checking sizing, ductwork, and electrical capacity before the new system is ordered.

A heat pump replacement is not just an outdoor unit swap. The indoor air handler, evaporator coil, and copper line set are assessed at the same time, because pairing a new condenser with an aged coil or undersized line set limits efficiency and can void the equipment warranty. Lakewood homes run heat pumps in both heating and cooling seasons, which accelerates wear and means end-of-life symptoms often appear in both modes before a failure occurs.

Sizing is recalculated using a Manual J load calculation rather than matching the old unit’s tonnage. An incorrectly sized original system is a common reason for comfort complaints that persist after replacement. Colorado’s altitude and wide day-night temperature swings affect the calculation, and the auxiliary heat strip is sized alongside the main system to cover the coldest nights without overshooting the heating load.

The existing duct system is pressure-tested to confirm it can carry the new system’s airflow. The electrical panel is checked for the correct breaker capacity and a dedicated circuit. After the new outdoor condenser, air handler, and thermostat are installed and the refrigerant charge is set, a startup test verifies pressures and airflow before the job is signed off and old equipment is removed.

Why Choose Us

Why Lakewood Heat Pumps for your replacement?

Every replacement enquiry follows the same structured process so nothing is missed and the written scope reflects the full job.

Written Scope Before You Commit

You receive an itemised estimate covering equipment, installation scope, and timeline before any work is booked.

Altitude-Adjusted Load Calculation

Sizing accounts for Colorado Front Range elevation and temperature swings, not just the old unit’s nameplate tonnage.

Full System Evaluation on Every Job

Each enquiry starts with a condition check on existing equipment so the written scope reflects the actual replacement needed.

Post-Install Performance Check

A startup test confirms refrigerant pressures and airflow meet spec before the installer leaves and the job is closed.

Vetted Local Partners

We arrange independent local installers who know Lakewood-area homes and the conditions that affect system performance here.

Outdoor heat pump condenser unit on concrete pad beside home with refrigerant lines
Multiple outdoor air conditioning or HVAC units installed next to the exterior of a modern residential building with siding and stone.

The Process

From first enquiry to a running system

  1. 01

    Request an Assessment

    Tell us about your existing system and home, and we arrange a local installer to evaluate the property and existing equipment.

  2. 02

    Review Your Written Scope

    You receive an itemised estimate covering equipment, ductwork findings, electrical requirements, and the full installation timeline.

  3. 03

    Install & Confirm Performance

    The installer completes the swap, sets the refrigerant charge, and runs a startup test to verify pressures and airflow before sign-off.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Heat Pump Replacement Prices

Replacement typeTypical costTypical duration
Straight heat pump replacement$10,000-$16,0001-2 days
Ducted replacement project$12,000-$18,0001-2 days
Full system replacement with upgrades$15,000-$25,0002-4 days
These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.
See all prices

Common Questions

Questions homeowners ask before replacing a heat pump

  • Should I replace the unit or keep repairing it?

    If repair costs are stacking up or comfort is getting worse, replacement usually makes more financial sense. A repair is still reasonable when the issue is isolated and the rest of the system, compressor, coil, line set, is in good condition. Delaying replacement when the compressor is failing risks a full breakdown mid-season with no heating or cooling at all.

  • What is actually included in a heat pump replacement?

    The job covers removing the old outdoor condenser and air handler, recovering refrigerant, installing matched new equipment, and running startup commissioning. Line set inspection, ductwork compatibility, and thermostat wiring are all checked as part of the scope.

  • Will I need to replace my ductwork too?

    Not always. If the existing ductwork is in good shape and sized correctly for the new system, it stays as-is. Duct repairs are scoped only when there are confirmed leaks, poor airflow, or a sizing mismatch with the new air handler.

  • What happens if I delay replacing a failing heat pump?

    A system running with a failing compressor or low refrigerant charge draws more electricity and delivers less heating or cooling each week. A full breakdown mid-winter in Lakewood leaves the home without heat. Replacing before failure also gives time to size the system correctly rather than rushing a swap.

  • How is the new system sized, do you just match the old tonnage?

    No. The new system is sized using a load calculation based on your home’s current insulation, window area, and occupancy. Many older Lakewood homes had oversized equipment originally, and matching the old nameplate tonnage repeats that mistake, causing short cycling and uneven temperatures.

  • Do I get any documentation after the replacement is done?

    Yes. A written post-install record covers the confirmed refrigerant operating pressures and temperature split across the air handler. That baseline makes future service visits faster and gives you a clear record of how the system performed at startup.

More questions about Heat Pump Replacement?

Get a Written Scope for Your Replacement

Describe your existing system and we’ll arrange a local installer to assess the property, run a load calculation, and put the full replacement scope in writing before anything is booked.

Request an Assessment