One System. Year-Round Comfort.
A heat pump does what most homeowners around here need: it cools your home in summer and heats it in winter, using a single outdoor unit. No separate furnace, no gas line, no combustion. Just efficient electric heating and cooling in one package, designed for exactly the kind of climate we live in.
Mild winters make heat pumps one of the most practical choices for home comfort in this region. Summit Air & Heating has been installing heating and cooling systems across the Springfield area since 1985, and we’ve watched heat pump technology evolve from a niche product to one of the best values in residential HVAC.
Why Heat Pumps Make Sense Around Here
Heat pumps work by moving heat rather than generating it. In summer, they pull heat out of your home (just like a traditional air conditioner). In winter, they reverse the process, extracting heat from the outdoor air and moving it inside.
This is where our climate is a real advantage:
- Mild winters: heat pumps are most efficient when outdoor temperatures stay above 30°F. Our winters rarely sustain temperatures below the mid-30s, which means a heat pump operates in its sweet spot almost all heating season.
- No gas required. If your home doesn’t have natural gas service, a heat pump eliminates the need for propane or electric resistance heating, both of which are significantly more expensive to operate.
- Lower operating costs: a heat pump moves three to four times more energy than it consumes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this makes heat pumps one of the most cost-effective ways to heat and cool a home. Compared to a gas furnace or electric furnace, the operating savings are substantial over the life of the system.
- Simpler equipment, one outdoor unit, one indoor air handler. Fewer components means less that can go wrong and lower long-term maintenance costs.
Types of Heat Pumps We Install
Ducted heat pumps: the most common configuration for homes with existing ductwork. The outdoor unit connects to an indoor air handler that distributes conditioned air through your duct system. From the outside, a ducted heat pump looks identical to a standard AC condenser.
Ductless mini-split heat pumps. Ideal for homes without ductwork, room additions, or spaces where extending ducts isn’t practical. Each indoor unit serves a specific zone, giving you independent temperature control. We install ductless systems from the leading manufacturers.
Dual fuel systems: a heat pump paired with a small gas furnace for backup. The heat pump handles heating down to a set temperature, and the furnace takes over during the rare deep cold snaps. This hybrid approach maximizes efficiency while providing a safety net for the coldest nights.
Understanding Heat Pump Efficiency Ratings
A heat pump carries two efficiency numbers, and both matter in our climate. SEER2 measures cooling efficiency, the same rating used on a standard air conditioner. HSPF2 measures heating efficiency, telling you how much heat the system delivers for the electricity it draws. In 2023 the Department of Energy updated both ratings to SEER2 and HSPF2 using more realistic test conditions, so the figures look slightly lower than the old SEER and HSPF numbers but describe the same equipment.
For homeowners around here, the SEER2 side does most of the heavy lifting because we cool far more than we heat. A higher SEER2 rating pays off across our long spring-to-fall cooling season, while a solid HSPF2 keeps your winter electric bills low through the handful of genuinely cold weeks we get. We’ll walk you through both numbers for each system we recommend so the trade-offs are clear before you commit.
Our Installation Process
- In-home evaluation. We assess your home’s size, insulation, ductwork condition, and current energy usage to determine the right system size, not a rough estimate based on square footage alone.
- System recommendation: based on the evaluation, we recommend specific equipment with efficiency ratings, estimated operating costs, and a written quote. We’re certified on all major brands, so the recommendation fits your home rather than a sales target.
- Professional installation: our factory-trained installers handle every aspect: setting the outdoor unit, connecting refrigerant lines, installing the air handler, wiring the thermostat, and testing the system in both heating and cooling modes.
- System commissioning. We verify refrigerant charge, airflow, and electrical readings against manufacturer specifications. We walk you through the thermostat and answer every question before we leave.
Making the Switch
If you’re replacing an aging air conditioner or furnace, a heat pump is worth serious consideration. The upfront cost is comparable to replacing both an AC and furnace separately, and the long-term savings on energy and maintenance add up. Financing is available to make the transition manageable, with promotional plans and low fixed-rate terms for qualified buyers.
Summit Air & Heating has been a family-owned name in home comfort since 1985. Whether you’re building new, replacing old equipment, or switching from gas to electric, we’ll help you find the right heat pump for your home and budget. Contact us to schedule your evaluation.
Heat Pump Installation Across the Springfield Area
We install heat pumps throughout the area. For details specific to your city, start with your area page:
Outside these towns? Browse all service areas to find yours.