The short answer
Heat pumps suit Arcadia well because the region's mild winters let them heat efficiently while they handle hot summers as air conditioners. We plan whole-home, two-story and guest-unit installations from a load calculation, check electrical capacity, and confirm rebates with your utility; the federal 25C credit is no longer available.
Homeowners in Arcadia usually come to us about heat pumps for one of three reasons. Their furnace and air conditioner are both getting old and they would rather replace two systems with one. They are adding a guest house, an accessory dwelling or a converted garage and want heating and cooling without extending the main ducts. Or they have read about regional rules on gas furnaces and want to plan before a breakdown forces the decision. Each situation leads to a slightly different installation. SummitAir HVAC Contractors installs ducted and ductless heat pumps in 91006 and 91007, about six miles east of our base in Pasadena. Below we take each scenario in turn, then cover sizing, electrical needs, rebates and what changes day to day once the system is running.
Replacing a furnace and AC together
When both systems are near the end of their service life, a ducted heat pump can take the place of each. The outdoor condenser is replaced by a heat pump unit, and the gas furnace is replaced by an electric air handler that sits in the same closet, garage or attic location and connects to the existing ducts.
In two-story homes with separate upstairs and downstairs systems, we often replace them one at a time on a schedule that fits your budget, or together if both are failing. Either way, we size each system for the floor it serves rather than splitting a total figure in half.
Guest houses, ADUs and converted garages
Separate living spaces are where ductless heat pumps shine. A single outdoor unit can serve one indoor head in a studio or several heads in a larger unit, each with its own temperature control. There are no ducts to run and only a small opening through the wall for the refrigerant lines, power and drain.
We plan head placement so air reaches the whole room without blowing directly on a bed or desk, and we route line sets neatly along the exterior with covers so they hold up to sun and weather.
- Wall-mounted heads for most rooms
- Ceiling cassettes where wall space is limited
- Compact ducted units for spaces that need hidden supply grilles
- Separate controls so a guest unit can be left off when empty
Sizing, ducts and electrical
We start with a room-by-room load calculation that reflects insulation, window area, roof exposure and how the house has changed over the years. Because heat pumps are both the cooling and heating system, the hot inland summer sets the size in most cases, and we confirm the system can carry the home through the coldest winter mornings.
Existing ducts are measured for airflow and inspected for leaks and damage. Heat pumps tend to move a steady volume of air for long periods, so undersized returns or leaky attic ducts matter more than they did with a furnace. On the electrical side, we check panel capacity and circuits, since an electric air handler and outdoor unit together draw more than a gas furnace's blower. If upgrades are needed, we tell you before work starts. Permits and inspections are handled as part of the project.
The rules and rebate picture right now
South Coast AQMD Rule 1111 limits NOx emissions from natural-gas fan-type central furnaces sold and installed in the Los Angeles region, and the district has been amending it toward zero-emission requirements. Compliance dates are set and revised by the district, so we check the current version when you are deciding between a new furnace and a heat pump.
Rebates depend on the utility that serves your address. LADWP customers can apply for Consumer Rebate Program rebates on qualifying heat pumps based on SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings, with the application filed within 12 months of purchase. Many homes outside the City of Los Angeles, Arcadia among them, are served by Southern California Edison instead, and we confirm the current offer for your address before quoting it. The federal 25C credit covered heat pumps placed in service before December 31, 2025, and is not available for new installations.
What changes once it is running
Heat from a heat pump feels steadier and less intense than furnace heat. The system runs longer at lower output, and on cool, damp mornings the outdoor unit may pause to defrost, sometimes with a small cloud of vapor. In summer, it cools just like a conventional air conditioner.
Filters still need regular attention, particularly when wildfire smoke or Santa Ana dust is in the air. We show you where each filter is and how to clean the washable filters in ductless heads. After start-up we test both heating and cooling modes and walk you through the controls. Homeowners in Temple City, Sierra Madre, El Monte, San Gabriel and San Marino get the same process.