Heat Pump Repair & Replacement in Washington
Expert diagnostics and repair for all heat pump brands. When repair is not the answer, we provide honest replacement recommendations with a 10-year warranty and PSE rebates up to $1,500.
Heat Pump Not Working? We Will Find Out Why.
When your heat pump stops heating, blows cold air, makes strange noises, or runs nonstop without reaching temperature, you need a technician who will diagnose the actual problem — not one who shows up and immediately pushes a full replacement. Varsity Heating and Cooling takes the opposite approach. We diagnose first, explain what we find, give you a clear price, and let you decide. If a $300 repair will keep your system running for another 5 years, we will tell you. If the unit is at end of life and throwing money at it makes no sense, we will tell you that too.
Our team repairs all major heat pump brands across the Puget Sound region, including Day & Night, Carrier, Mitsubishi, American Standard, Daikin, Trane, Lennox, and more. We carry common parts on our trucks to handle most repairs on the first visit. For homeowners in Federal Way, Tacoma, Puyallup, and surrounding areas, we prioritize same-day and next-day appointments — especially when you are without heat.
When replacement is the right call, we make the transition seamless. You can upgrade to a modern ducted heat pump or a ductless mini-split system depending on your home's setup. Replacement systems qualify for up to $1,500 in PSE rebates, and every installation comes with our 10-year parts and labor warranty. We also service furnaces and AC systems, so if you are not sure what type of system you have, just call us and we will figure it out.
Repair, Replace, or Upgrade
Diagnostics & Repair
We start with a thorough diagnostic to identify exactly what is wrong before recommending any work. Common repairs include compressor issues, refrigerant leaks, electrical failures, frozen coils, thermostat problems, and reversing valve malfunctions. Most repairs are completed on the first visit with an upfront price. Repair costs typically range from $150 to $1,500 depending on the issue and parts needed.
Full Replacement
When repair costs approach or exceed half the price of a new system, or when your unit is 12 to 15 years old and declining, a full replacement is the smarter financial move. We remove the old equipment, install a new high-efficiency heat pump, and handle all PSE rebate paperwork. Replacement systems range from $10,000 to $16,000 depending on size and efficiency tier, with up to $1,500 back from PSE.
System Upgrades
Upgrading from an older system to modern high-efficiency equipment can cut your energy bills by 30% to 50%. We help homeowners transition from aging R-22 systems to modern refrigerants, from single-stage to variable-speed compressors, and from gas-only setups to electric or hybrid heat pumps. Upgrades also qualify for the highest PSE rebates when converting from electric resistance heating.
Brands We Repair & Replace
We diagnose and repair all major heat pump and HVAC brands. For replacements, we install Day & Night, Carrier, American Standard, Mitsubishi, and Daikin equipment.
Repair & Replacement Costs
Diagnostics & Repair
- Upfront diagnostic fee applied to repair
- Most repairs same-day
- Parts warranty on all repairs
- Honest recommendation: repair or replace
Full System Replacement
- Good, Better, Best equipment tiers
- 10-year parts & labor warranty
- PSE rebates up to $1,500
- Most replacements in one day
- Old system removal included
Rebates for Replacement
Replacing your heat pump through a PSE-certified contractor like Varsity Heating qualifies you for Puget Sound Energy rebates that reduce the cost of your new system. The rebate amount depends on what you are upgrading from and the efficiency of the new equipment.
If you are still running a system with R-22 refrigerant or electric baseboard heaters, the savings are even more significant — both from the rebate and from the 30% to 50% reduction in monthly energy costs that comes with a modern heat pump.
Standard heat pump replacement (upgrading existing heat pump or AC system)
Electric resistance conversion (baseboard to heat pump — qualifies for highest rebate tier)
Common Heat Pump Problems We Fix
Blowing Cold Air in Heat Mode
Usually caused by a reversing valve failure, low refrigerant charge, or a defrost cycle issue. We test the valve, check refrigerant levels, and inspect the defrost board to pinpoint the cause.
Short Cycling
When the system turns on and off every few minutes, it could be an oversized unit, a faulty thermostat, a dirty filter restricting airflow, or a refrigerant problem. Short cycling wastes energy and wears out the compressor.
Ice Buildup on Outdoor Unit
Some frost during defrost cycles is normal. But heavy ice buildup indicates a failing defrost timer, a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant, or blocked airflow around the outdoor unit.
Strange Noises
Grinding, rattling, or screeching sounds usually point to a failing blower motor, loose hardware, a worn bearing, or compressor issues. Ignoring unusual sounds leads to more expensive repairs.
High Energy Bills
A sudden spike in heating costs often means your heat pump is working harder than it should due to a refrigerant leak, dirty coils, a failing compressor, or duct leaks. A diagnostic identifies the efficiency drain.
System Not Responding
Could be a tripped breaker, a blown fuse, a faulty thermostat, or a control board failure. We check electrical connections, thermostat communication, and control circuitry to restore operation.
Our Repair & Replacement Process
Call Us
Describe the issue over the phone and we will schedule a same-day or next-day appointment. We prioritize homeowners without heat, especially during cold weather.
Diagnose
Our technician inspects your system, runs electrical and refrigerant tests, and identifies the root cause. You get a clear explanation and an upfront price before we touch anything.
Repair or Quote
If the repair makes sense, we fix it on the spot. If replacement is the better path, we provide a written quote with Good, Better, and Best options and walk you through PSE rebates.
Warranty & Follow-Up
Repairs come with a parts warranty. Replacements include our full 10-year parts and labor coverage. We follow up to make sure everything is running right.
Real Results, Real Reviews
"The service was fast, the team was competent and not overly salesy. Rapid response and same-day repair of our heat pump."
"Very impressed with the work they did. No high pressure to buy a new unit. Appreciated their honesty about repair costs."
Heat Pump Repair & Replacement FAQ
Heat pump repairs typically range from $150 to $1,500 depending on the issue. Minor fixes like thermostat recalibration or capacitor replacement fall at the lower end. More involved repairs like compressor replacement, refrigerant leak repair, or control board replacement cost more. Varsity Heating provides an upfront diagnosis and clear quote before any repair work begins — you will know the cost before we start.
As a general rule, if your heat pump is less than 10 years old and the repair cost is less than half the price of a new system, repair is usually the better choice. If your system is 12 to 15 years old, uses R-22 refrigerant (now phased out), requires frequent repairs, or your energy bills have climbed steadily, replacement makes more financial sense. We will give you an honest assessment — we do not push replacements when a repair will solve the problem.
We repair all major heat pump brands including Day & Night, Carrier, Mitsubishi, American Standard, Daikin, Trane, Lennox, Rheem, Goodman, Bryant, and more. Our technicians are factory-trained on the systems we install and have the diagnostic experience to troubleshoot any brand. If parts are needed, we source them directly from manufacturers for proper fit and warranty compliance.
Most heat pump replacements are completed in a single day. A straightforward swap — removing the old outdoor and indoor units and installing the new system — typically takes 6 to 8 hours. If ductwork modifications are needed or you are switching from a different type of system, the job may take 1 to 2 days. We will give you a clear timeline during your estimate.
The most common signs include: the system blowing lukewarm or cold air in heating mode, unusual grinding or rattling noises, the system short-cycling (turning on and off frequently), ice buildup on the outdoor unit during mild weather, a sudden spike in energy bills, the system not responding to thermostat changes, or strange odors coming from the vents. If you notice any of these, call us at (253) 785-4622 for a diagnostic.
We offer rapid-response repair during our business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM). While we do not currently offer 24/7 emergency service, we prioritize same-day and next-day appointments for homeowners without heat. Call us at (253) 785-4622 and we will get you on the schedule as quickly as possible.
Puget Sound Energy offers $1,500 in rebates for qualifying heat pump replacements (upgrading an existing heat pump or AC to a newer, more efficient model). If you are converting from electric resistance heating (baseboard heaters or an electric furnace) to a heat pump, rebates can reach up to $4,000. As a PSE-certified contractor, Varsity Heating ensures your replacement qualifies and handles all the rebate paperwork.
R-22 (Freon) was phased out of production in 2020, which means the remaining supply is extremely expensive — often $100 to $200 per pound. If your R-22 system has a minor refrigerant leak, the cost to recharge it can exceed $500 to $1,000, and that is a temporary fix since the leak will recur. In most cases, replacing an R-22 heat pump with a modern R-410A or R-454B system is the smarter long-term investment. You will save on energy costs, qualify for PSE rebates, and get a 10-year warranty.
Schedule Your Heat Pump Diagnostic
Call us to describe the issue and we will get you on the schedule. Same-day and next-day appointments available for homeowners without heat.