You signed the proposal, the equipment is ordered, and now you are wondering what actually happens when a crew shows up at your house. This post walks through a real heat pump install day the way our crew runs it in Tacoma and Pierce County, hour by hour, including the steps that happen behind the walls that most homeowners never see. If you are still comparing systems or looking for pricing, start with our heat pump installation service page or our Tacoma heat pump cost guide. This one is about the day itself.
The week before install day
A smooth install day is mostly decided before we arrive. Here is what happens in the days leading up to it.
Permit
Inside City of Tacoma limits we pull a mechanical permit, and if a new circuit is needed an electrical permit as well. In unincorporated Pierce County, including Spanaway, Parkland, Frederickson, and Graham, the county handles permits. You do not need to do anything here, but you should know an inspector will visit after the install.
Panel check
Many older Tacoma homes, especially Craftsmans in the North End, Hilltop, and the Proctor area, still have 100 amp panels or panels with no open breaker spaces. We confirm there is room for a dedicated heat pump circuit before install day, because finding out at noon means a second trip.
What we ask you to do
- Clear a path from the driveway to the furnace, attic hatch, or crawlspace access.
- Move cars so we can park close to the house.
- Put pets in a closed room or crate. Doors will be open a lot.
- Clear about three feet around where the outdoor unit will sit.
Install day, hour by hour
This is a typical one day ducted or single zone ductless install. Multi zone jobs follow the same order across two or three days.
| Time | Step | What is actually happening |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Crew arrives, walks the job with you | We confirm the outdoor pad spot, indoor unit or air handler location, line set route, and where the electrical disconnect goes. Floors get covered from the door to the work area. |
| 8:00 AM | Old equipment comes out | Refrigerant in an old AC or heat pump is recovered into a certified tank, never vented. The old furnace or air handler is disconnected and carried out. |
| 9:30 AM | Outdoor pad and unit set | Composite pad or wall brackets go in, leveled and raised above splash and standing water. In South Tacoma clay we build the base up so the pad does not settle. |
| 10:30 AM | Indoor unit or air handler set | Ducted systems get the new air handler or coil matched to the outdoor unit. Ductless systems get wall heads mounted and the line set hole drilled and sealed. |
| 12:00 PM | Line set, drain, and electrical | Copper is run, flared or brazed under a nitrogen purge. Condensate drains are pitched and trapped. The electrician side lands the dedicated circuit and disconnect. |
| 1:30 PM | Pressure test and vacuum | The system is pressurized with dry nitrogen and held to prove it is leak free, then pulled into a deep vacuum and watched for decay before any refrigerant is released. |
| 3:00 PM | Start up and commissioning | Refrigerant is released and the charge is verified. We measure airflow, static pressure, supply and return temperatures, and force a defrost cycle. |
| 4:00 PM | Thermostat setup and walkthrough | We program the thermostat for heat pump operation, show you the filter, explain the defrost steam, and hand over model and serial numbers for warranty and rebates. |
Times are approximate. Weather, access, and surprises inside walls can shift the schedule.
The steps that decide how long your system lasts
Two installs can use the same brand and model and perform very differently. The difference is almost always in the parts of the job you cannot see once the covers go back on.
Nitrogen while brazing
When copper is brazed without nitrogen flowing through it, a black scale forms inside the pipe. That scale breaks loose later and clogs metering devices and screens. We flow dry nitrogen through the lines every time we braze.
Pressure test before vacuum
We pressurize the system with nitrogen and let it sit to prove the joints and flares hold. A leak found now takes five minutes to fix. A leak found in January means a no heat call and lost refrigerant.
Deep vacuum with a micron gauge
Moisture and air inside a refrigerant system cause acid and poor performance. We pull the system down to a deep vacuum measured with a micron gauge, isolate it, and watch that the reading holds. If it rises, something is still wet or leaking, and we do not release refrigerant until it passes.
Charge and airflow verified, not guessed
Line set length changes how much refrigerant a system needs. We adjust the charge to the actual line length and confirm it with measurements. On ducted systems we also check static pressure, because many older Tacoma duct systems were sized for a furnace and choke a modern variable speed heat pump.
Tacoma details that change install day
- Rain. We install year round, but electrical and brazing work outside gets covered. Pads are set so the unit sits above splash and pooling water.
- Clay soil. South Tacoma and parts of Lakewood hold water. A pad on soft clay can tilt within a season, so the base gets built up and compacted.
- Salt air. Homes near Ruston Way, Point Defiance, and Gig Harbor see faster coil corrosion. We talk about unit placement and coil protection options for those addresses.
- Tight basements and crawlspaces. Craftsman basements often have low beams and narrow stairs, which affects air handler choice and how long removal takes.
After the crew leaves
The first week, expect defrost steam on cold mornings, a quieter indoor unit than your old furnace blower, and longer, gentler run times. That is how a variable speed heat pump is supposed to work. Keep the paperwork we leave, because the model and serial numbers are needed for manufacturer warranty registration and utility rebates. See our PSE heat pump rebate guide if you are a PSE customer. We install American Standard, Mitsubishi Electric, and Daikin systems, and each has its own registration window.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a heat pump install take in Tacoma?
Most straight swaps of a ducted system or a single zone ductless system finish in one day. Multi zone ductless jobs, homes that need a panel upgrade, or installs that need new ductwork often run two to three days. We tell you which one you are before we schedule.
Do I need to be home the whole day?
We need an adult at the house when we arrive for the walkthrough and at the end for the startup and thermostat walkthrough. In between, you are welcome to leave as long as we have access to the panel, the attic or crawlspace, and the outdoor area.
Will my power or heat be off during the install?
Heating and cooling are off from the time the old system comes out until startup, usually most of the day. Power to the house is only off briefly while the new circuit is landed in the panel, typically under an hour.
Does the City of Tacoma inspect heat pump installs?
Yes. A mechanical permit is required inside City of Tacoma limits, and Pierce County handles permits in unincorporated areas. We pull the permit and schedule the inspection. The inspector usually comes after install day, and you or someone you trust needs to give access.
Why is steam coming off my new heat pump?
That is a normal defrost cycle. On cold, damp Puget Sound mornings frost builds on the outdoor coil, and the unit briefly reverses to melt it. The cloud you see is water vapor, not smoke. It usually lasts a few minutes.
Ready to schedule your install?
GreenFlow Heating & Cooling is a family owned, licensed HVAC contractor serving Tacoma and Pierce County. Call (253) 370-8641 or request an estimate online, and we will walk you through exactly what your install day will look like.