Homeowners almost always tell us they wish they'd known what was actually going to happen. So here's the play-by-play for a typical Minneapolis heat pump installation project from the day we pick up the phone.
Yours may run shorter or longer depending on scope, but the pattern is consistent.
Ready to start the walkthrough phase? send the form for a free walkthrough. — we usually book first appointments within a few days.
Get a free quoteStep 1 — The first call
15 minutes on the phone, no commitment. We ask what you're seeing, what's prompting the project, and roughly when you need it done. We tell you whether what you're describing is actually a job for us. If it's not, we say so and tell you who is.
Bring: any prior estimates, any equipment model numbers, a photo of your panel cover (for any electrical-touching scope).
Step 2 — The walkthrough (free)
On site, in person. We assess panel capacity, existing duct condition, refrigerant lineset routing, outdoor unit placement, condensate drainage, and electrical service rating and answer every question you have. We do not pressure-sell on the walkthrough — the goal is for both of us to know what the right scope is.
Most walkthroughs run 30 to 60 minutes. We leave you with a written quote within 1 to 2 business days.
- Pull last 12 months of utility bills (we use them in the load calc)
- Photograph the panel cover so we can see the existing main breaker rating
- Note any rooms that are consistently hot or cold today — those tell us what the existing system is missing
Step 3 — Permit & scheduling
We pull permits through Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry + state HVAC Board. In Minneapolis, that takes about 10 business days. Once issued, we schedule the install around your calendar — including weekends if it's the only window that works for you.
Ready to start the walkthrough? send the form — first appointments usually book within the week.
Step 4 — The install
1 to 3 days for a single-system swap; 3 to 5 if a panel upgrade or new ducting is involved. The crew that walked the job is the crew that does it — no separate dispatch team, no day-labor subs.
We protect interior surfaces with drop cloths and floor protection, set up a clean staging area outside, and clean up at the end of every workday — not just at the end of the project.
Step 5 — Inspection & sign-off
Final inspection happens on-site with us present. Once the inspector signs off, the permit closes and the system is officially compliant. We file your warranty with the manufacturer and email you the documentation packet.
Replace filters every 3 months, hose down outdoor coils every spring, schedule one professional service per year — heat pumps live longer than a furnace if they are kept clean.
Sources & official references
- ENERGY STAR — Heat pump buying guide — Federal program, qualifying models and sizing
- DOE — Air-source heat pumps — Department of Energy reference on cold-climate performance
- AHRI Directory — verified equipment performance — Lookup any model to verify rated capacity and efficiency
- IRS — Residential Clean Energy Credit (heat pumps) — 30% federal credit on qualifying installs through 2032