Heat Pump Conversions in Gresham
A heat pump heats in winter and cools in summer with one outdoor unit. That is why so many Gresham owners are trading in an old furnace or a house full of baseboard heaters for one. Call (503) 755-9845 to talk with an independent contractor who does these conversions in East County.
Three common starting points
Gas furnace with no AC
This is the easiest switch. The contractor sets a heat pump outside and puts a matching coil on the furnace. The furnace can stay as backup heat, or a new air handler with electric heat strips can replace it.
Oil furnace
Some older homes in the area still burn heating oil. A heat pump with a new air handler can take over the ducts. The oil tank then needs attention too. Oregon DEQ strongly recommends decommissioning a tank once it has been pumped out, and many home buyers ask about it.
Baseboard or wall heaters
Houses heated with electric baseboards usually have no ducts. Ductless heat pumps fit these homes well. Energy Trust of Oregon says a ductless heat pump can cut heating costs by up to 40 percent compared with baseboard heat, and the same units cool the house in summer.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Heat pump added to an existing gas furnace | $9,000 to $16,000 |
| Heat pump and new air handler, oil furnace removed | $12,000 to $20,000 |
| Ductless heat pump, one zone | $4,000 to $7,500 |
| Ductless heat pump, three or four zones | $11,000 to $20,000 |
Typical ranges, not quotes. Tank work, electrical upgrades and incentives change the final number.
How heat pumps handle Gresham winters
Most of the winter here sits in the 30s and 40s, which is easy work for a modern heat pump. The hard days come when cold east wind blows out of the Gorge. Ask the contractor how the unit you are looking at performs in the 20s and what backup heat it uses. Cold-climate models keep heating well below freezing.
Placement matters out here. An outdoor unit set where the east wind drives freezing rain straight into the coil will ice up more. A stand that lifts the unit off the ground, and a spot sheltered from the east, both help.
Call and set up a visit with a local contractor who handles conversions.
(503) 755-9845Questions about Heat Pump Conversions in Gresham
- Do I need a bigger electrical panel for a heat pump?
- Sometimes. Older homes with 100-amp panels can run short of room. The contractor checks the panel during the estimate visit and tells you if an upgrade is part of the job.
- What happens to my oil tank?
- It should be pumped out. Oregon DEQ strongly recommends decommissioning it at the same time and filing the paperwork, which helps when you sell the house.
- Are there rebates for heat pumps?
- Energy Trust of Oregon offers incentives to many PGE, Pacific Power and NW Natural customers. Programs change through the year, so ask the contractor to check what is current.
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(503) 755-9845