How does a heat pump work in Valley heat and winter?
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse. In summer it moves heat out of the house like any central AC; in winter a reversing valve sends the refrigerant the other way, and it pulls heat from the outdoor air into the house. Because it moves heat instead of burning fuel, it delivers more heat than the electricity it uses. Sized for the home, it can carry the heating on its own through a mild Los Angeles winter.
In a Valley heat wave it cools the way a central AC does; what decides whether it keeps up on a 100-degree afternoon is answered in the heat pump installation questions below.

Ducted or ductless heat pump?
| Ducted heat pump | Ductless mini split | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Homes with ducts that replace a furnace and AC | No ducts, additions, ADUs, garage conversions, single rooms |
| Indoor equipment | One air handler on the existing ducts | One wall, ceiling or floor head per room or zone |
| Control | One thermostat per zone | Each room set on its own |
| Watch for | Leaky or undersized ducts; see duct replacement | Placement of heads and line sets on the walls; see ductless mini split installation |
Heat pump, central AC or furnace?
If you are replacing an air conditioner and a furnace together, a heat pump does both jobs with one system and no gas combustion in the house. If your furnace is newer and only the AC has failed, a new AC on the existing furnace is the simpler change. If you want to keep gas heat, see furnace installation. Federal efficiency minimums for new split-system heat pumps are 14.3 SEER2 for cooling and 7.5 HSPF2 for heating (federal standard, 10 CFR 430.32).

Heat pump rebates in Los Angeles
California utilities and state programs offer incentives on qualifying heat pumps, and the amounts and rules change during the year. Your utility matters: most of the San Fernando Valley is served by LADWP, while cities such as Calabasas are served by Southern California Edison. Ask during your free quote which programs your system currently qualifies for. What else moves the price is explained in our heat pump installation cost guide.
The installation process
- Free quote: the home, ducts and electrical service are looked at and the options explained.
- Removal of the old AC, coil and furnace (or its heating section).
- Outdoor heat pump set on a level pad; indoor air handler or ductless heads installed; refrigerant lines run.
- Electrical work, thermostat wiring, vacuum and refrigerant charge to the manufacturer's specification.
- Testing in both cooling and heating mode, permit inspection, and a walk-through.

What customers say
"We had Elvira Ocean & Air install a ductless heating system in our home, and we are extremely satisfied."
"We are absolutely loving our new system... They did a full change out in one day."
"Pricing was transparent and I feel they were worth my time and business. Highly recommend!"
Heat pump installation questions
Will a heat pump keep my house warm in January?
Yes, when it is sized for your home's heat loss.
Will a heat pump keep up in 100-degree Valley heat?
Yes. In summer a heat pump is a central air conditioner: it pulls heat out of the house the same way, so on a 105-degree Valley afternoon it cools like an AC of the same size and EER2 rating. When you compare models, look at EER2, the rating for cooling at peak heat, not only SEER2 (both are explained on our AC installation in Los Angeles page).
Whether it keeps up then comes down to two things: a Manual J load calculation for your house, so it is sized for your rooms, windows and attic heat, and ducts that are sealed and insulated where they run through a hot attic (see air duct replacement in Los Angeles).
Can a heat pump use my existing ducts?
Usually. We check the ducts for leaks and size; sound ducts are sealed and reused.
Do I still need a furnace with a heat pump?
Usually not, when the heat pump is sized for the home. Some owners keep a furnace as backup (a dual-fuel setup), which we can also install.
Do you repair heat pumps too?
Yes, see heat pump repair.
