Heat Pump Installation

When you need a professional heat pump installation, trust the home comfort experts at Vortex Air HVAC. We provide expert installation of high-efficiency heat pump systems for residents in Orem, UT.

Schedule now (801) 400-2422
Book now call now

Top Heat Pump Installation Company in Orem, UT

A professional heat pump installation offers an incredibly efficient, all-in-one solution for your home’s year-round comfort. Vortex Air HVAC specializes in installing modern, high-performance heat pumps that provide both heating and air conditioning. As a versatile and energy-efficient alternative to traditional furnaces and air conditioners, a heat pump can significantly lower your utility bills. Our certified technicians ensure your new heat pump is perfectly sized for your home, installed for optimal performance, and calibrated to keep you comfortable in every season. We help you select the right model for Utah’s climate. Trust our Orem team for a flawless heat pump installation that delivers exceptional value and comfort.

Schedule now (801) 400-2422
Book now call now

What Homeowners Are Saying

See why customers trust Vortex Air HVAC for professional Heat Pump Installation. Our team is known for honest pricing, quality work, and reliable service from start to finish.

Mariah Clyde
google
Mariah Clyde
July 26, 2025
Riley Griffin
google
Riley Griffin
July 26, 2025

Super friendly and quick, would recommend!

Harrison Wilfley
google
Harrison Wilfley
June 18, 2025

They were outstanding. Super responsive without talking to some robot to schedule. They shot right over to the house right away when our AC wasn't working. You want to use them for super quick and great service!

sam vawdrey
google
sam vawdrey
April 17, 2025

Great company to work with! I felt like they were fair and honest. They were great at communicating with me and getting out to our place fast and working around our schedule! Will be using them again in the future!

Jackson Hill
google
Jackson Hill
April 14, 2025

I HIGHLY recommend going with Vortex Air HVAC. My original heater in my house (1989) was having issues. I watched a ton of videos and did everything to get it back and working with one caveat. Vortex came and took a look and realized it was a simple quick fix. He didn't charge me anything for it after I insisted I paid him. He then proceeded to to a quick diagnostic to verify everything was working correctly for free. Fantastic customer service. That simple act has won me over as a lifetime customer.

Mason Phillips
google
Mason Phillips
February 14, 2025

Very good and efficient

Martha McCoy
google
Martha McCoy
January 18, 2025

We contacted Vortex Air HVAC when we were installing a vent fan above our stove. The Vortex team came out, climbed up in our attic to cut a hole in our roof to install the ducting for it. Not only did they weather seal around their work, they cleaned the entire mess and was very friendly and professional. Now every year we have them come out and prep our furnace and A/C for the seasons. Thank you Vortex Air for excellent, professional and friendly service everytime. 😁

Taylor Gladwell
google
Taylor Gladwell
January 16, 2025

Great customer service and great pricing!

Lynsie Dawn
google
Lynsie Dawn
January 16, 2025

Quick response time, very knowledgeable, and great pricing. I definitely will be calling vortex next time!

William Phillips
google
William Phillips
September 6, 2024

I’ve waited a few weeks to post this review pending my full experience with Vortex air. Recently we had our ac go out, I had multiple big name and a few smaller companies out they all played the same game! Send a “tech” they tell me it’s bad few hours to a day later another “sales” man shows up to quote it.. I called these guys as I had just a coworker refer them. The Owner answered the phone and then showed up to my house within an hour! He then proceeded to give me all the options to even repair! He made thoughtful and valid suggestions on what we can really do to improve air quality as well. Day of install shows up and they were on time and had it all changed and running same day! Pricing was very competitive and not like getting the wind knocked out of you like all the other prices I got. 5 stars for service another 5 for the install and another 5 for the peace of mind we will have coming these next seasons. Thank you vortex!

ENERGY-EFFICIENT

We install high-efficiency HVAC systems designed to lower your monthly energy bills while keeping you comfortable.

FREE DIAGNOSTICS

We provide free diagnostics to identify HVAC problems quickly, giving you clear answers and upfront pricing before any work begins.

NO HIDDEN FEES

Our pricing is transparent and upfront. You’ll never be surprised by hidden costs or last-minute charges.

Heat Pump Installation Service

Our professional heat pump installation service provides you with a single, highly efficient system for both heating and cooling your home. We understand that a heat pump is a smart investment in year-round comfort and energy savings, and a proper installation is key to unlocking its full potential. Our process begins with a detailed in-home consultation, where our experts conduct a thorough load calculation (Manual J) to determine the exact heating and cooling needs of your home. This scientific sizing ensures your heat pump will operate efficiently without the performance issues caused by improperly sized equipment. We guide you through every step of the process.

We will help you select the right heat pump for your home and budget. We explain the key efficiency ratings: SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for cooling and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heating. A higher SEER and HSPF rating means greater energy savings for you. We install a wide range of high-quality heat pumps from leading manufacturers known for their reliability and performance in climates like ours. We can help you decide between a standard heat pump system or a dual-fuel system that pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace for maximum efficiency and comfort in deep winter.

The physical installation is performed by our certified technicians with meticulous attention to detail. The process involves installing two main components: the outdoor unit and the indoor air handler. We will prepare a stable, level pad for the outdoor unit, ensuring it has proper clearance for airflow and is positioned to drain correctly during the defrost cycle. The indoor air handler, which contains the supplemental heating elements, is installed in your home and connected to your existing ductwork. We ensure every component is securely mounted and all duct connections are airtight to prevent energy loss.

A crucial part of the installation is connecting the two units. Our technicians will skillfully run a set of copper refrigerant lines between the outdoor and indoor units. These lines are expertly brazed to create permanent, leak-proof connections. We then run the necessary high and low voltage electrical wiring to power the system and allow the components to communicate with the thermostat. We only use high-quality, weather-resistant materials to ensure the longevity and safety of all a heat pump’s electrical and refrigerant connections. We adhere to all local and national codes.

Once the system is physically installed, we perform a deep vacuum on the refrigerant lines to remove all air, moisture, and other contaminants. This is a critical step for the health and efficiency of the compressor. We then charge the system with the precise amount of refrigerant specified by the manufacturer. An incorrect charge is one of the most common causes of poor performance, so we take great care to be exact. We then proceed to the final commissioning of the system to verify its operation.

The final commissioning process involves testing the heat pump in both its cooling and heating modes. We will verify the reversing valve is functioning correctly to switch between modes. We will test the defrost cycle to ensure it initiates when needed. We also test the auxiliary heat strips in the air handler to ensure you have a reliable source of backup heat for the coldest winter days. We will calibrate the thermostat and balance the airflow to ensure your entire home is comfortable.

An expertly installed heat pump from Vortex Air HVAC is a fantastic way to improve your home’s comfort and reduce your carbon footprint. These highly efficient systems use electricity to move heat rather than create it, resulting in significant energy savings, especially during the milder parts of the heating season. For a reliable, all-in-one comfort solution that is perfectly suited for the Orem climate, trust our team to provide a professional and seamless heat pump installation.

Schedule now (801) 400-2422
Book now call now

Need Emergency HVAC Service? We’re Available 24/7!

Book now call now
Schedule now (801) 400-2422
Years experience
new units installed
satisfied clients
hVAC service calls

Common Heat Pump Installation Questions

We understand you have questions about heat pump technology and the installation process. Our goal is to provide clear answers to help you decide if a heat pump is right for you. Below are answers to common inquiries.

A heat pump works on the simple principle of moving heat from one place to another, rather than creating heat by burning fuel. It operates much like a standard air conditioner, using a refrigeration cycle with a compressor and refrigerant. In the summer, it functions exactly like an AC: it absorbs heat from inside your home and transfers it to the outdoors, leaving your indoor air cool and comfortable. The magic of a heat pump lies in its ability to reverse this process in the winter.

The key component that allows this is called the reversing valve. When you switch your thermostat to “heat” mode, the reversing valve changes the direction of the refrigerant flow. In heating mode, the heat pump absorbs ambient heat from the cold outdoor air and moves it inside your home. It then releases this heat into your indoor air, warming your house. Even when it feels cold outside, there is still a significant amount of heat energy in the air that the heat pump can extract and use.

This process of moving heat is incredibly efficient. A modern heat pump can be up to 300% to 400% efficient, meaning it can deliver three to four units of heat for every one unit of electricity it consumes. This is far more efficient than traditional electric resistance heating. A heat pump is a single, elegant system that uses the same technology to provide both powerful cooling in the summer and efficient heating in the winter, all controlled by a single thermostat.

Yes, modern heat pumps are very effective in cold climates like ours in Orem, Utah. This is a common misconception based on older, less advanced heat pump technology from decades ago. Early heat pumps did struggle when temperatures dropped close to freezing. However, today’s advanced cold-climate heat pumps are designed with technologies like inverter-driven, variable-speed compressors that allow them to continue extracting heat from the air efficiently even when the outdoor temperature is well below freezing, some even down to 5°F or lower.

For the vast majority of our heating season in Utah, a modern heat pump can heat your home far more efficiently than a traditional furnace. However, for those few extremely cold days or nights when the temperature drops into the single digits or below, a heat pump’s efficiency will decrease. At this point, the system will rely on a supplemental or auxiliary heat source to keep your home warm. This is a normal and designed part of any cold-climate heat pump system.

This auxiliary heat is typically provided by electric heat strips located inside the indoor air handler. These work like a giant toaster to provide powerful heat when needed. Another excellent option, known as a “dual-fuel” system, is to pair the heat pump with a high-efficiency gas furnace. In this setup, the heat pump provides super-efficient heating most of the time, and the gas furnace only kicks on during the most extreme cold snaps. This dual-fuel approach offers the best of both worlds: maximum efficiency and powerful, reliable heating in any weather.

SEER and HSPF are the two most important efficiency ratings for a heat pump, and understanding them is key to choosing the right system. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it measures the cooling efficiency of the heat pump. It is calculated by dividing the total cooling output over a typical cooling season by the total electric energy consumed. A higher SEER rating means the unit is more efficient at air conditioning, which will result in lower electricity bills during the summer.

HSPF stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and it is the rating that measures the heating efficiency of the heat pump. It is calculated by dividing the total heating output over a typical heating season by the total electricity consumed. Just like with SEER, a higher HSPF rating means the unit is more efficient at heating your home. A higher HSPF will lead to greater energy savings during the winter months. When choosing a heat pump, you should look for high ratings for both SEER and HSPF to ensure year-round efficiency.

The U.S. government sets minimum SEER and HSPF requirements for all new heat pumps. When you work with Vortex Air HVAC, we will show you a range of heat pump models with different efficiency ratings. While units with higher ratings typically have a higher initial cost, the long-term savings on your utility bills can often offset this difference, providing a great return on your investment. We can help you calculate the potential energy savings to make an informed decision.

A dual-fuel system, sometimes called a hybrid heat system, is a home comfort setup that combines a high-efficiency electric heat pump with a traditional gas furnace. This system is controlled by a special dual-fuel thermostat that intelligently switches between the two heat sources to provide the most energy-efficient heating possible, no matter the outside temperature. This approach is often considered the ultimate solution for year-round comfort and efficiency in a four-season climate like ours in Utah.

Here’s how it works: for most of the fall, winter, and spring, when the outside temperature is relatively mild (e.g., above 30-35°F), the electric heat pump will handle all of your home’s heating needs. In this temperature range, the heat pump is incredibly efficient, often much more so than even a high-efficiency gas furnace. This allows you to save a significant amount of money on your heating bills. The system provides comfortable, consistent heat using the super-efficient heat pump.

However, when the outdoor temperature drops to an extremely cold level, the thermostat will automatically shut off the heat pump and turn on the gas furnace. The powerful and reliable heat from the gas furnace will then take over to keep your home warm and comfortable during the coldest parts of winter. This system gives you the best of both worlds: the unmatched efficiency of a heat pump during moderate weather and the powerful performance of a gas furnace during extreme cold. We are experts in designing and installing these smart, dual-fuel systems.

The defrost cycle is a normal and essential function for any heat pump operating in heating mode during cold, damp weather. As the heat pump works to absorb heat from the outdoor air, the surface of the outdoor coil gets very cold, often below freezing. The moisture in the outdoor air will then condense and freeze on this coil, forming a layer of frost. If this frost is allowed to build up, it will block airflow through the coil and prevent the heat pump from absorbing any more heat.

To solve this, the heat pump has a built-in, automatic defrost cycle. The system’s sensors will detect when a significant amount of frost has formed on the coil. When this happens, the heat pump will temporarily switch itself back into cooling mode. This sends hot refrigerant to the outdoor coil, which quickly melts the frost. While this is happening, the system will also turn on your auxiliary heat strips inside to ensure that cold air is not blowing from your vents during the brief defrost cycle.

You may notice the fan on your outdoor unit stops spinning and you might see a cloud of steam rising from the unit as the frost melts. This is completely normal and is a sign that the defrost cycle is working correctly. The cycle typically only lasts for a few minutes. Once the coil is clear of frost, the system will switch back to its normal heating mode. A properly functioning defrost cycle is critical for a heat pump’s performance in the winter.

In most cases, if you have existing ductwork from a central furnace and air conditioner that is in good condition, you will not need to replace it to install a heat pump. A heat pump uses a standard air handler and duct system to distribute the conditioned air, just like a traditional furnace and AC. As part of our installation consultation, our technicians will perform a thorough inspection of your existing ductwork to ensure it is properly sized and in good condition.

The most important factor is that the ducts are correctly sized to handle the amount of airflow (CFM) required by the new heat pump system. Undersized ductwork can restrict airflow, which will severely impact the performance and efficiency of your new system and can cause damage to the compressor. If your ducts are undersized or in poor condition with significant leaks, we may recommend repairs, sealing, or a partial or full replacement to ensure you get the full benefit of your new high-efficiency heat pump.

Properly sealed and insulated ductwork is crucial for any HVAC system, but it is especially important for a heat pump to maximize its efficiency. We will check for any leaks and recommend duct sealing where necessary. Our goal is to ensure your entire comfort system, from the heat pump itself to the ductwork that delivers the air, is working together as a high-performance system. We will give you an honest assessment of your ducts and provide clear recommendations.

A standard heat pump installation, which involves replacing an existing furnace and air conditioner with a new heat pump and air handler, is typically completed in one full day. Our professional installation team will usually arrive in the morning and can have the new system fully installed and operational by the end of the day. This process includes the safe removal of your old equipment, setting the new outdoor and indoor units, and making all the necessary refrigerant, electrical, and ductwork connections.

The project may take longer if it is more complex. For example, if we are installing a dual-fuel system that pairs the new heat pump with your existing furnace, this can sometimes add complexity. If significant ductwork modifications are needed, this will also extend the timeline. During our initial consultation, we will assess the full scope of the project and provide you with a clear and accurate timeline, so you know exactly what to expect.

We always schedule enough time to perform a very thorough commissioning process at the end of the installation. This is where we test the system in all its modes of operation, check the refrigerant charge, and calibrate the thermostat. We will never rush these final checks, as they are crucial for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of your new system. Our goal is to perform a high-quality installation efficiently, with minimal disruption to your home.

Yes, a heat pump requires a special type of thermostat that is specifically designed for heat pump operation. You cannot use a standard thermostat that is designed for a separate furnace and air conditioner. A heat pump thermostat has additional wiring terminals and internal logic to control the unique functions of a heat pump, such as the reversing valve (which switches between heating and cooling) and the auxiliary heat source. Using the wrong thermostat will result in the system not working correctly or at all.

Modern heat pump thermostats, especially for dual-fuel systems, are quite sophisticated. They have logic built in to decide when to run the heat pump and when to call for the more expensive auxiliary heat. A good “smart” heat pump thermostat can even be programmed with your local utility rates and will automatically choose the most economical heating source at any given time. It will also control the defrost cycle to ensure a smooth and comfortable operation.

When we install your new heat pump, we will always install a new, compatible digital thermostat as part of the package. We highly recommend upgrading to a Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostat. This will give you the ultimate control over your highly efficient new system, allowing you to program it from your phone and maximize your energy savings. Our technicians will install and program the new thermostat for you and will show you how to use all of its features.

Get The Best Heat Pump Installation Near You

Contact Vortex Air HVAC today to schedule your heat pump installation in the Orem area. We offer free estimates and expert advice for your home or business.

Book now call now
Schedule now (801) 400-2422