Ductless Heat Pump
Why you should upgrade your home with a ductless heat pump
Money & energy savings: Installing an efficient ductless heat pump (DHP) allows you to heat and cool your home while using less energy and lowering your utility bill. Compared to traditional electric baseboard or electric forced air furnaces, DHPs use 25-50% less energy, which means significant annual savings for you.
Reliable, clean & quiet: DHPs are also reliable, easy to operate using a remote control and provide consistent heat and cool air. They have built-in air filters to keep equipment clean and improve indoor air quality. And DHPs use ultra-quiet fans to reduce noise common to other heating and cooling systems.
Easy to install & maintain: A DHP includes two main parts: An indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor unit is mounted to the wall in your main living area. It is connected to the outdoor unit, which is placed on ground level, with copper pipes and electric wiring. Connecting the units only requires making a three-inch hole in your exterior wall, so installation is relatively easy. In contrast to central heat pumps, DHPs do not require you to install a duct system throughout your house.
Incentives we offer for ductless heat pumps
We offer three incentives to help you pay for a ductless heat pump for your home or multi-family property (up to four units). Choose one of these:
- 0% interest loan details
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You can get a 0% interest loan to cover the costs of purchasing and installing a ductless heat pump. The average monthly loan payment is about $83 for every $5,000 borrowed.
We’ll also give you a $1,000 contractor discount by deducting a chunk of the project costs from your loan.
Requirements for a 0% interest loan:
- The primary heat source for your home is electric.
- Your application and project must be pre-approved by Tacoma Power.
- The home where the ductless heat pump is installed is served by Tacoma Power.
- The loan applicant owns the home and land.
- The loan applicant has a good TPU payment and credit history.
- You must use a Tacoma Power Participating Contractor.
Use a Participating Contractor
A Tacoma Power Participating Contractor must install the ductless heat pump. They are well-trained on all aspects of our program, and will ensure you meet these technical requirements necessary to qualify for the loan:
- The project must meet local building, electrical, and mechanical codes.
- Installation must follow the manufacturer’s specifications and be completed by a technician who is trained and certified on the brand and model of equipment installed.
- The ductless heat pump must be located in the main living area.
- Only high-efficiency heat pumps may be used, which requires the product to be certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) with a minimum of 9.0 HSPF and 14 SEER rating.
See the full list of equipment and installation requirements your contractor is required to follow by clicking here.
Not eligible for a 0% interest loan:
- Multi-family properties with 5 or more units
- New construction properties
- Do-it-yourself installations
- Properties that have previously received an incentive from Tacoma Power for a heat pump
Required documents for a 0% interest loan:
These are the required documents you’ll need to work with your contractor to complete and submit to Tacoma Power before getting started:
- An application for your project and selected incentive
- A bid created by your contractor
- A copy of your deed for proof of ownership
After your project is complete, your contractor will need to submit the following documents to Tacoma Power:
- An invoice that meets these requirements
- Copies of electrical and mechanical permits
- AHRI certificate
- Contractor discount details
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If you’re paying out-of-pocket for your ductless heat pump, you’re eligible for a contractor discount. We’ll cover a portion of the bill from your Tacoma Power Participating Contractor. You can get $1,000 off a ductless heat pump.
Requirements for a contractor discount:
- The home where the ductless heat pump is installed is served by Tacoma Power.
- You must use a Tacoma Power Participating Contractor.
Use a Participating Contractor
A Tacoma Power Participating Contractor must install the ductless heat pump. They are well-trained on all aspects of our program, and will ensure you meet these technical requirements necessary to qualify for contractor discount:
- The project must meet local building, electrical, and mechanical codes.
- Installation must follow the manufacturer’s specifications and be completed by a technician who is trained and certified on the brand and model of equipment installed.
- Only high-efficiency heat pumps may be used, which requires the product to be certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) with a minimum of 9.0 HSPF and 14 SEER rating.
See the full list of equipment and installation requirements your contractor is required to follow by clicking here.
Not eligible for a contractor discount:
- Multi-family properties with 5 or more units
- New construction properties
- Do-it-yourself installations
- Properties that have previously received an incentive from Tacoma Power for a ductless heat pump
Required documents for a contractor discount:
After your project is complete, you’ll need to work with your contractor to complete and submit the following documents to Tacoma Power:
- An application for your project and selected incentive
- An invoice that meets these requirements
- Copies of electrical and mechanical permits
- Heat load calculations
- AHRI certificate
- Deferred loan details
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If your household income doesn’t exceed the allowed maximums, you might qualify for a deferred loan and a bonus contractor discount of $1,000. You’ll owe nothing and pay nothing until you sell your home.
Requirements for a deferred loan:
- The primary heat source for your home is electric.
- Your application and project must be pre-approved by Tacoma Power.
- The home where the ductless heat pump is installed is served by Tacoma Power.
- The loan applicant owns the home and land.
- The loan applicant has a good TPU payment and credit history.
- You must use a Tacoma Power Participating Contractor.
Use a Participating Contractor
A Tacoma Power Participating Contractor must install the ductless heat pump. They are well-trained on all aspects of our program, and will ensure you meet these technical requirements necessary to qualify for contractor discount:
- The project must meet local building, electrical, and mechanical codes.
- Installation must follow the manufacturer’s specifications and be completed by a technician who is trained and certified on the brand and model of equipment installed.
- More than 50% of the home must be heated by the new ductless heat pump.
- The ductless heat pump must be located in the main living area.
- Only high-efficiency heat pumps may be used, which requires the product to be certified by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) with a minimum of 9.0 HSPF and 14 SEER rating.
See the full list of equipment and installation requirements your contractor is required to follow by clicking here.
Not eligible for a deferred loan:
- Multi-family properties with 5 or more units
- New construction properties
- Do-it-yourself installations
- Properties that have previously received an incentive from Tacoma Power for a heat pump
- Limited liability companies or corporations
Required documents for a deferred loan:
To see if you qualify for a deferred loan, fill out this income-qualification application and submit it to Tacoma Power along with your income verification documents (or if you have zero income, fill out this form).
If you qualify, then you’ll need to work with your contractor to complete and submit these documents to Tacoma Power before getting started:
- An income-qualification application for a deferred loan (of you have zero income, fill out this form)
- An application for your your project
- A bid created by your contractor
- A copy of your statutory warranty deed for proof of ownership
After your project is complete, your contractor will need to submit the following to Tacoma Power:
- An invoice that meets these requirements
- Heat load calculations
- AHRI certificate
How to get started
Pick a Tacoma Power Participating Contractor (or a few) to give you some bids for your new heating & cooling system.
Not only will Participating Contractors tell you the project cost, they will advise you on the best system for your home and needs — either a ductless heat pump or a central heat pump.
Once you’ve selected your Participating Contractor and heating & cooling system, you can work together to fill out your project application.
It’s here where you’ll indicate what incentive you want to use — a zero-interest loan, contractor discount or a deferred loan.
Submit your application to Tacoma Power for project and incentive approval.
Once you’re approved, your Participating Contractor will get to work upgrading your home.
Enjoy the comfort and lower utility bill your new heating & cooling system provides.
Some restrictions might apply. Program requirements and incentive amounts are subject to change without notice. Check with Tacoma Power for current information. Energy and heating savings are estimates only. Actual savings may vary. Tacoma Power does not make any representations, promises or warranties with respect to actual cost savings from any of the products. Tacoma Power does not endorse any particular contractor, manufacturer or product.