Short answer: most heat pump installations in Santa Rosa take about two days once the equipment is on site. It starts with a free in-home estimate, then a system designed around your house, then install day, permit inspection, and a walkthrough so you know how to use it. Santa Rosa's hot summer afternoons and cool winter nights are a great fit for a heat pump, because one system handles both.
Why heat pumps make sense in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa sits farther from the coast than Petaluma, so summers run hotter. Afternoons in the 90s are common from July through September, and heat waves can push past 100. Winter nights often drop into the 30s.
A heat pump covers both ends. In summer it cools like a central air conditioner. In winter it reverses and moves heat into your home instead of burning gas. For many Santa Rosa homeowners, that means replacing an old furnace and an aging AC with one all-electric system.
Step by step: how a Green Core install works
- Free in-home estimate. We walk the house, look at your current system, ducts, attic or crawlspace, and electrical panel, and ask what's not working for you (hot bedrooms, high bills, a noisy AC).
- A design built for your home. We size the system to your house, not to the label on the old furnace. Insulation, windows, sun exposure, and duct condition all factor in. You get clear written options and pricing.
- Permit and scheduling. We pull the permit and order the equipment. Once it's in, we set your install date.
- Install day. A typical ducted heat pump replacement takes about two days with a crew of two or three techs. We protect floors, remove the old equipment, set the outdoor unit, install the indoor unit and refrigerant lines, and make the electrical connections.
- Startup and walkthrough. We test the system, check airflow and temperatures, and show you the thermostat settings that keep it efficient.
- Inspection. The building inspector signs off on the permit. We coordinate it so you don't have to.
What affects the timeline and price
Every home is different, so heat pump systems are priced to your home after the estimate. The biggest factors:
- Ductwork. Leaky, crushed, or undersized ducts are common in older Santa Rosa homes. Sometimes sealing and a few changes are enough. Sometimes a section needs replacing. See our duct work page for more.
- Electrical panel. Switching from gas may need a new circuit, and some older panels need an upgrade first.
- Equipment choice. Single-stage, two-stage, and inverter (variable-speed) systems differ in comfort, noise, and efficiency.
- No ducts at all? For additions, ADUs, or homes without ducts, ductless mini splits are often the better route and install quickly.
Rebates and incentives
Depending on your utility and current program funding, rebates may be available through programs like TECH Clean California, BayREN, and Sonoma Clean Power. Funding changes during the year, so we check what's open when we quote your job and handle the paperwork. The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Common questions
How long does a heat pump installation take in Santa Rosa?
Most ducted heat pump replacements take about two days on site. Larger systems, duct replacement, or a panel upgrade can add time. Ductless mini splits are often done in a day.
Will a heat pump keep up on a 100-degree day?
Yes, when it's sized correctly and the ducts are in good shape. Modern inverter heat pumps are built to handle Sonoma County heat waves.
Do I need to be home during the install?
Someone needs to let the crew in on the first morning and be available for the walkthrough at the end. You don't need to be there the whole time.
Can I keep my gas furnace as a backup?
Sometimes. A dual-fuel setup pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace. Most Santa Rosa homeowners find a properly sized heat pump handles our winters on its own, and we'll talk through both options.
Thinking about a heat pump for your Santa Rosa home? Call Green Core at (707) 988-5858 or request a free estimate.