Heat pump vs gas furnace in Los Angeles
Updated October 2026
A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also run in reverse to heat your house. One outdoor unit, one indoor unit, no gas furnace. It's the system we push hardest, and here's why, with the numbers.
It costs less to install
Our installed price ranges, heat pump versus a gas furnace plus AC:
Heat pump
$7,500 to $14,928
Heats and cools. One system.
Furnace + AC
$8,500 to $22,841
Two systems.
Size for size and tier for tier, the heat pump costs less to install. Your instant quote shows the exact difference for your home.
Will it keep my house warm?
For most of our area, yes. HVAC sizing uses a design temperature, the cold night a system has to be ready for. Across the LA basin, the Valley and coastal Ventura County, that's around 36 to 44°F. A modern heat pump handles that fine.
The exception is the high desert. Palmdale and Lancaster size for 26°F nights. A heat pump can still work there, but it has to be picked for those nights, and some homes are better off with gas heat.
| Area | Winter design | Summer design |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, Palmdale | 26°F | 102°F |
| Santa Clarita | 36°F | 99°F |
| Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks | 38°F | 95°F |
| Calabasas, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills | 38°F | 98°F |
| Arleta and Pacoima, Encino, Granada Hills, North Hills, Northridge, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Sylmar, Van Nuys | 40°F | 97°F |
| Eagle Rock, Glassell Park and Mount Washington, Glendale, Highland Park, Pasadena | 40°F | 96°F |
| Burbank, Hollywood Hills, North Hollywood, Studio City, Valley Village | 40°F | 96°F |
| Oxnard, Ventura | 40°F | 80°F |
| Camarillo | 40°F | 85°F |
| Long Beach | 41°F | 89°F |
| Echo Park, Los Feliz, Mid-City, Silver Lake and Atwater Village | 43°F | 90°F |
| Westchester | 43°F | 83°F |
| Bel Air, Brentwood, Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Rancho Park and Cheviot Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles (Sawtelle), Westwood | 44°F | 82°F |
ACCA Manual J design temperatures from the nearest weather station.
Will it keep up in a 105°F Valley summer?
In cooling mode a heat pump is an air conditioner. It cools the same as a central AC of the same size and efficiency. What matters is sizing it for your area's hot days, same as any AC.
Will my electric bill go up?
We won't promise your bill goes down, because it depends on your rates. Here's the honest picture. Cooling costs about the same as a new AC with the same efficiency rating. Heating moves from your gas bill to your electric bill, so it comes down to what you pay for electricity versus gas. Our winters are short and mild, so heating is a smaller part of the year here than almost anywhere in the country. A higher efficiency inverter heat pump narrows the gap further.
The rebate
If you're on LADWP, there's a real rebate for qualifying heat pumps right now. Not every model qualifies, and funding is limited. The federal heat pump tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Ducted (central split and packaged)
| Efficiency | Rebate |
|---|---|
| 15.2+ SEER2 / 7.7+ HSPF2 | $1,000 per ton |
| 16+ SEER2 / 8+ HSPF2 | $1,050 per ton |
| 16.9+ SEER2 / 8.1+ HSPF2 | $1,100 per ton |
| 17.8+ SEER2 / 8.1+ HSPF2 | $1,150 per ton |
| 18.7+ SEER2 / 8.5+ HSPF2 | $1,200 per ton |
| 19.6+ SEER2 / 8.9+ HSPF2 | $1,250 per ton |
Ductless (mini-split and multi-split)
| Efficiency | Rebate |
|---|---|
| 15.2+ SEER2 / 7.8+ HSPF2 | $1,500 per ton |
| 16+ SEER2 / 8.1+ HSPF2 | $1,650 per ton |
| 16.9+ SEER2 / 8.3+ HSPF2 | $1,800 per ton |
| 17.8+ SEER2 / 8.5+ HSPF2 | $1,950 per ton |
| 18.7+ SEER2 / 8.7+ HSPF2 | $2,100 per ton |
| 19.6+ SEER2 / 8.9+ HSPF2 | $2,250 per ton |
| 20.5+ SEER2 / 9.1+ HSPF2 | $2,500 per ton |
Source: LADWP Consumer Rebate Program, checked October 14, 2026. Amounts change and funding is limited. Check LADWP before you count on it.
When a gas furnace still makes sense
- You live in the high desert and want the most heat on the coldest nights.
- You only need to replace the furnace and your AC is newer.
- You just prefer gas heat. That is a fine reason. We install both and post both prices.
Questions people ask
Do I need new ductwork for a heat pump?
Usually not. A ducted heat pump uses the ducts you already have. A real person reviews every job before install day, and if your ducts need work we tell you before anything starts.
Can I switch from a gas furnace to a heat pump?
Yes. That is one of the most common jobs we price. The heat pump replaces both the furnace and the AC.
Do I need an electrical upgrade for a heat pump?
Sometimes. A heat pump needs the right circuit and enough panel capacity. We look at that before install day and tell you up front if your home needs electrical work.