Heat Pump Installation and Replacement in Rocky Mount, NC

Efficiency Options: SEER2, HSPF2, Variable-Speed and Inverter Heat Pumps

SEER2 rates cooling efficiency and HSPF2 rates heating efficiency, both under the current test standard that better reflects real ductwork. Higher is better on both, and in Rocky Mount both matter because the same unit runs in July and in January.

The bigger decision is the compressor type. A single-stage heat pump runs at full output or not at all, which suits a well-insulated home with a modest load. A two-stage unit runs at a lower output most of the time and steps up on the hottest and coldest days, giving longer, quieter cycles and better humidity control. A variable-speed or inverter heat pump adjusts output continuously to match the load, and that is where the efficiency and comfort gains are largest. Cold-climate inverter models also hold their heating capacity through the January lows in the 20s that push a single-stage unit onto its electric backup strips.

If your home already has gas service, a dual-fuel setup pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace as the backup instead of electric strips. The heat pump carries the mild days and the furnace takes over below a set outdoor temperature. It costs more up front than either system alone but is the most efficient way to heat a Rocky Mount home that keeps its gas; see furnace installation for the gas side of that pairing. Our heat pump vs furnace comparison walks through when each one makes sense in eastern North Carolina.

Heat Pumps We Install: Armstrong Air and Daikin

Metro Maintenance is an Armstrong Air Pro Team dealer. The three 4SHP models featured below cover the range: the 4SHP17LE single-stage unit for straightforward replacements, and the 4SHP18LX and 4SHP22LX variable-capacity units for homes where humidity control and cold-weather capacity matter. We also install Daikin inverter heat pump systems, and we service Carrier, Rheem and every other major brand, so a replacement does not mean starting over with a company that has never seen your house.

Our Heat Pump Installation Process

• In-Home Evaluation and Manual J
  We measure the house, inspect the ductwork and the electrical service, and run the load calculation before recommending a size.
• Written Options
  You get a written quote that lists equipment by model number, with more than one efficiency tier when more than one makes sense, and the financing and rebate options spelled out.
• Removal and Refrigerant Recovery
  The old refrigerant is recovered to a cylinder as the law requires, and the old outdoor unit, air handler and pad are removed and disposed of.
• Set and Connect
  We set the new outdoor unit and air handler, run or replace the line set, make the electrical connections and disconnect, and install the thermostat.
• Commissioning
  The system is evacuated and charged by subcooling to the manufacturer's specification, airflow is measured and adjusted, and the thermostat is programmed and tested in both heating and cooling.
• Walkthrough and Registration
  We show you the filter, the thermostat and the outdoor unit clearances, register the manufacturer warranty in your name, and leave the paperwork for any rebate or tax credit.

Warranty and Installation Timeline

A like-for-like ducted replacement, with the new outdoor unit and air handler in the same locations, is normally a one-day job: the crew arrives in the morning and you have heat or cooling by evening. Duct replacement, relocating the air handler or an electrical panel upgrade adds a day, and we tell you that at the quote, not on install day. Permits are pulled with the City of Rocky Mount or Nash or Edgecombe County as required, and we schedule the inspection. Every new system carries the manufacturer's parts warranty, which Metro registers in your name so the clock starts on the right date, and the installation itself is covered by our promise that All Work is Guaranteed.

Keeping Your New Heat Pump Running

Three habits protect the investment. Change the filter on the schedule the technician gives you, because a heat pump moves air year-round and a clogged filter is the fastest way to lose capacity. Keep the outdoor unit clear of shrubs, leaves and grass clippings. And put the system on twice-a-year tune-ups, one before cooling season and one before heating season; a heat pump tune-up checks the charge, the defrost cycle and the auxiliary heat before you need them. Our HVAC maintenance plan schedules both visits for you and keeps the maintenance record the warranty requires. We install in Rocky Mount, Nashville, Tarboro and Wilson.