Clement Boston Heat Pumps writes estimates meant to be compared, so use this list on our estimate and on every other one. These are the questions to ask a heat pump installer before you sign, grouped by the part of the job they cover, with what a good answer sounds like and what should make you ask again.
Sizing: how big, and how do you know?
The right size comes from a room-by-room load calculation for your house, at your town’s design temperature. Everything else in the quote depends on it.
| Ask | A good answer | Ask again if |
|---|---|---|
| How did you size it? | A Manual J load calculation, room by room | “Same as your old unit” or a rule of thumb per square foot |
| What design temperature did you use? | 7°F at Logan, colder inland | No answer, or a southern default |
| What’s the capacity at 5°F? | A listed figure for the exact pair quoted | Only the nominal tonnage |
| Is the equipment on the cold-climate list? | Yes, with the matched indoor unit named | The indoor unit is unnamed |
The sizing guide explains the calculation, and SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings explains the numbers on the spec sheet.
Ducts: reuse, change or add?
A heat pump needs more airflow than most furnaces. A quote that doesn’t mention the ducts hasn’t looked at them.
- Did you measure static pressure and check the return size?
- Which duct changes are included, and where?
- If new ducts are needed, where will they run, and what gets opened?
- Who repairs the walls and ceilings, and is that priced?
Duct work starved of attention shows up as a loud system, cold rooms and backup heat running in winter. See ductwork for heat pumps.
Electrical: will my panel carry it?
The heat pump and its backup heat need new circuits, and some houses need a bigger service. The quote should say which.
What to ask
- What size circuits, and is there room in the panel?
- Does the service need an upgrade, and is it priced?
- Who coordinates with Eversource or National Grid?
Our typical range for an electrical service upgrade is $3,000 to $6,500, which is enough to change which quote is really lower.
Outdoor unit and backup heat
Where the outdoor unit sits and how backup heat is handled both change comfort and running cost, and both belong in writing.
Placement
- Where will the outdoor unit go, on what mount, and how high above the snow?
- Will it meet the town’s night noise limit at the lot line? Boston’s is 50 dBA.
- How long is the line set, and does it need a cover or a roof route?
Backup heat
- What backup heat is included: electric strips, or the existing furnace?
- At what outdoor temperature is backup heat locked out?
- What happens on the coldest night, and in a power outage?
Permits and approvals
Every Boston-area heat pump install needs at least one permit, and most need two or three. Ask which ones, and who pulls them.
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which permits are included? | Electrical, sheet metal, building and gas permits each have their own fee and inspection |
| Who pulls them? | In Boston, electrical and sheet metal permits require licensed contractors |
| Do I need historic or condo approval first? | Back Bay, Beacon Hill, the South End and condo boards review outdoor units |
The installation process shows how permits fit the schedule.
The old system: out, off or kept?
The quote should say exactly what happens to the furnace, boiler or old heat pump, and who handles each part.
- Is the old system removed, disconnected, or kept as dual fuel backup?
- Who caps the gas line, and is a licensed gas fitter doing it?
- What happens to the oil tank, and is the Fire Department permit included?
Mass Save’s whole-home rebate needs the old system removed or disconnected, so these answers decide which rebate you can get. See oil tank removal.
Commissioning: how will you prove it works?
Ask what gets tested before the system is handed over, and whether you’ll get the readings in writing.
- Nitrogen pressure test on the line set and coil
- Vacuum below 500 microns, held
- Refrigerant charge weighed in for the actual line length
- Airflow and static pressure measured
- Controls set, and the backup heat lockout recorded
An installer who can’t say what readings you’ll get is telling you something. Those checks matter more to the lifespan of the system than the brand on the box.
Rebates and paperwork
Rebates depend on the installer, the equipment and your utility, so confirm all three before the price in the quote assumes a rebate.
What to confirm
- Is the installer in Mass Save’s Heat Pump Installer Network?
- Is the equipment on the cold-climate and qualified products lists?
- Which rebate applies: whole-home, partial-home, basic, or a light plant program?
- Does the HEAT Loan need to be in place before work starts?
The rebate guide covers each path, including towns with their own light plant.
Lining the quotes up
Put the quotes side by side by scope, not by total. Our cost guide shows how each line moves the price.
| Line | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Load calculation and design temperature | ||
| Equipment pair and capacity at 5°F | ||
| Duct changes | ||
| Electrical and service | ||
| Permits | ||
| Old system and tank | ||
| Commissioning readings | ||
| Rebate path |
A blank line is a question to ask, not a saving. To have us measure the house and write an estimate that fills every line, call us or send the form.