Switching From Gas to a Heat Pump: What Homeowners Should Know

More Western Washington homeowners are moving off gas heat and onto heat pumps every year. Here's an honest look at why, what the switch actually involves, and how the incentives change the cost.

Why homeowners are making the switch

• One system for heating and cooling. A heat pump replaces your furnace and gives you air conditioning — increasingly worth having as our summers get warmer.
• Efficiency. A heat pump moves heat instead of burning fuel, which is very efficient in our mild climate.
• The rebates and credits are best right now. PSE offers its largest incentives for heat pump and gas-to-electric conversions, and there's a federal tax credit on top. This is the piece that makes conversion pencil out.
• Getting off fossil fuel. For some homeowners it's about not depending on gas prices and policy long term.

What the conversion involves

Every home is different, but a gas-to-heat-pump conversion generally includes:

1. Removing or retiring the gas furnace (or keeping it for a dual-fuel setup — see below).
2. Installing the heat pump — an outdoor unit plus an indoor air handler, or ductless heads if you don't have good ductwork.
3. Electrical work. Heat pumps run on electricity, so some homes need a panel upgrade or a new dedicated circuit. This is one of the bigger variables in the cost.
4. Reusing or adjusting ductwork where possible.
5. Handling the old gas line and venting appropriately.

Do you have to give up gas entirely?

No. If you like the idea of a heat pump but want gas backup for the coldest foothill nights, a dual-fuel system keeps your gas furnace and pairs it with a heat pump. The heat pump does the efficient day-to-day work; the furnace kicks in automatically when it's the smarter choice. See our furnace vs. heat pump vs. dual fuel comparison for the trade-offs.

What about the cost?

A conversion costs more upfront than a like-for-like gas furnace swap, because you're getting a heating and cooling system and sometimes electrical work. But the incentives are designed to close that gap:

• PSE conversion rebates for moving from gas to a qualifying heat pump — often $1,500 or more, applied as an instant discount.
• PSE midstream rebates on the equipment efficiency tier, stackable with the conversion rebate.
• The federal tax credit, up to $2,000 on a qualifying heat pump.
• Income-qualified programs (PSE Energy Boost) that can go significantly higher for eligible households.

We handle the rebate paperwork and apply eligible amounts at purchase. For the full rebate picture, see PSE Rebates Explained, and for real price ranges, How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost in Western Washington?.

Is it right for your home?

Conversion makes the most sense if you already want air conditioning, your furnace is aging, or you want to take advantage of today's incentives. If your gas furnace is nearly new and you don't want cooling, it may not be the moment — and we'll tell you that honestly.

Curious whether a gas-to-heat-pump conversion pencils out for your home? Request a free estimate or call (360) 825-0800. We'll show you the numbers, including every rebate you qualify for.