WA Lic. INFINHA841B8 400+ Google reviews
Quick answer
- Our marine climate rarely gets cold enough to push a modern heat pump out of its efficient range.
- You get air conditioning included — no longer optional after recent Northwest heat waves.
- Inverter (variable-speed) models modulate output, so they hold steady temperatures in damp 40°F weather without the on/off blast of a furnace.
- Electric heating pairs well with Washington's low-carbon grid.
The climate math
A heat pump's efficiency depends on outdoor temperature: the milder the air, the more heat it can move per watt. Graham, Tacoma, and Puyallup winters hover in the 35–50°F range, where a modern inverter heat pump routinely delivers two to three times more heat energy than the electricity it consumes. Deep-cold snaps happen, but they're short — and today's cold-climate models keep heating well below zero.
Cooling is no longer optional
Most older South Sound homes were built without air conditioning because summers used to be reliably mild. Recent heat events changed that calculation. A heat pump is the same machine running in reverse: the same install that replaces your heating also adds real cooling, without a second system.
What about the damp?
Our long, wet shoulder seasons are where variable-speed heat pumps shine. Instead of short blasts of very hot air, they run long and low, which keeps temperatures even, dehumidifies gently, and cuts the clammy feeling older homes get in November. Proper sizing matters — an oversized unit short-cycles and does none of this well.
Ducted, ductless, or both
If your home has good ductwork, a ducted heat pump (like the Hisense HD Series systems we install) drops into the existing air handler or pairs with your furnace as a dual-fuel setup. No ducts, or rooms the ducts never reached? Ductless mini-splits heat and cool room by room. Many South Sound homes end up with a hybrid of the two.
Sizing shortcuts
A heat pump sized off square footage alone — instead of a real Manual J load calculation — is the most common cause of disappointing performance in our climate. Insist on a load calculation before anyone quotes you a size.
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Family owned · WA Lic. INFINHA841B8 · 400+ Google reviews
Common questions
Will a heat pump keep my house warm in a cold snap?
Yes, if it's specified for it. Modern cold-climate inverter models maintain meaningful heat output well below freezing — some down to -13°F or lower — and systems can include backup electric heat strips or a furnace for dual-fuel operation during rare deep-cold events.
Is a heat pump more efficient than my gas furnace?
In terms of energy delivered per unit consumed, yes — moving heat is fundamentally more efficient than making it, especially in mild weather. Your operating cost depends on local electric and gas rates, which is something we walk through honestly during a home visit.
How long does a heat pump last in Western Washington?
Typically 12–15+ years with regular maintenance. Our mild climate is gentler on equipment than extreme-weather regions, but year-round use (heating and cooling) means annual tune-ups matter.
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Infinity Heating & Air — licensed WA HVAC contractor (Lic. INFINHA841B8), family-owned in Graham. Last updated July 2026.