System Replacement
Stop patching a failing system, get correctly sized, fully installed equipment that handles both seasons.
What Goes Wrong
Swapping the outdoor unit without checking the rest of the system is the most common reason a new heat pump underperforms from day one.
Matching the old unit’s tonnage copies any original sizing error, leaving the home under- or over-conditioned in both seasons.
A fresh load calculation sets the correct tonnage for the home’s actual square footage, insulation, and Colorado altitude.
Pairing a new condenser with an old evaporator coil cuts efficiency and can void the equipment manufacturer’s warranty immediately.
The indoor air handler, evaporator coil, and copper line set are all evaluated before the replacement scope is written.
Pressure losses in an uninspected duct system starve the new equipment of airflow and recreate the same uneven room temperatures.
The existing duct system is pressure-tested to confirm it can carry the new system’s airflow before equipment is ordered.
An undersized breaker or shared circuit causes nuisance trips and can damage the new equipment within the first heating season.
Breaker capacity and dedicated circuit availability are confirmed before installation begins, not discovered mid-job.
Replacement Scope
A full swap addresses every component that affects how the new system performs, not just the condenser sitting outside.
A Manual J load calculation confirms correct tonnage so the new system is not a copy of a unit that may have been wrongly sized.
Both the outdoor condenser and indoor air handler are replaced together to ensure matched efficiency ratings and warranty compliance.
The evaporator coil and copper line set are assessed and replaced where needed to protect the new equipment’s rated output.
Existing ducts are inspected and pressure-tested to confirm they can carry the new system’s airflow without comfort-robbing losses.
The electrical panel is checked for correct breaker capacity and a dedicated circuit before the written scope is finalised.
After installation, the refrigerant charge is set and a startup test verifies pressures and airflow before the job is closed.
Old thermostats swapped for a compatible new unit.
Heat strip sized for coldest nights without overshooting.
Existing outdoor and indoor units removed after startup.
Why Choose Us
Every replacement enquiry follows the same structured process so nothing is missed and the written scope reflects the full job.
You receive an itemised estimate covering equipment, installation scope, and timeline before any work is booked.
Sizing accounts for Colorado Front Range elevation and temperature swings, not just the old unit’s nameplate tonnage.
Each enquiry starts with a condition check on existing equipment so the written scope reflects the actual replacement needed.
A startup test confirms refrigerant pressures and airflow meet spec before the installer leaves and the job is closed.
We schedule assessments built around Lakewood-area homes and the conditions that affect system performance here.
Pricing Estimates
| Replacement type | Typical cost | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Straight heat pump replacement | $10,000-$16,000 | 1-2 days |
| Ducted replacement project | $12,000-$18,000 | 1-2 days |
| Full system replacement with upgrades | $15,000-$25,000 | 2-4 days |
Common Questions
Guide prices run from $10,000-$16,000 (Straight heat pump replacement) to $15,000-$25,000 (Full system replacement with upgrades). Air-source units typically sit at the lower end; geothermal systems run higher due to ground loop work. A written itemised estimate is provided before any work is booked.
System type, output capacity, duct condition, and altitude-adjusted sizing all shift the final figure. A geothermal system costs more than an air-source unit of the same capacity. Replacing deteriorated ductwork or upgrading the electrical panel at the same time adds to the total. The written estimate breaks each item out separately.
Replace when repair costs exceed roughly half the price of a new unit, or when the system is over 15 years old and failing repeatedly. Continuing to repair an aging unit means paying for parts and labor while efficiency keeps dropping. A system evaluation will show whether the existing equipment is worth further investment.
A repair makes sense if the unit is under 10 years old and the fault is isolated. If the compressor is failing, refrigerant is leaking repeatedly, or the system can no longer meet your heating or cooling load, another repair delays the inevitable and adds cost. An inspection will clarify which situation you are in. See heat pump repair options
Yes, existing ductwork makes a ducted air-source replacement straightforward in most cases. Duct condition and sizing are assessed as part of the evaluation to confirm airflow meets the new unit’s requirements. Homes with sound, properly sized ducts typically see the simplest and most cost-effective replacement process.
In many cases the existing ducts are fine. The evaluation checks for leaks, undersized runs, and airflow restrictions that would reduce the new system’s output. If ducts are significantly leaky or undersized, replacing them alongside the unit avoids efficiency losses and comfort complaints after installation.
Signs that point toward replacement rather than repair include a compressor that cycles off under load, refrigerant leaks that recur within a season, ice buildup that defrost cycles cannot clear, and heating or cooling output that no longer matches your thermostat setting. A single isolated fault on a younger system usually warrants repair first. Book an inspection
The most common causes are a refrigerant charge that has dropped due to a leak, a failing compressor, a dirty or blocked coil, or a reversing valve stuck in one mode. At Lakewood’s altitude, an undersized unit also struggles on peak demand days. A diagnostic visit will identify the specific fault before any parts are ordered.
We cover Heat Pump Replacement in and around Lakewood, including Arvada, Colorado, Bear Creek, Colorado, Belmar, Colorado, Edgewater, Colorado, Golden, Colorado, Denver, Colorado, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Littleton, Colorado, Morrison, Colorado, Ken Caryl, Colorado and Columbine, Colorado. If your area isn’t listed, send us a quick message to check.
Describe your existing system and we’ll schedule an on-site assessment, run a load calculation, and put the full replacement scope in writing before anything is booked.