Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) replacement cost in Denver, CO
Installed, 3 ton system
A typical heat pump (3 ton system) costs about $5,900 installed in the Denver area, 3% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $34 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Denver
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton system | $4,000 | $4,950 | $7,150 | $4,850 |
| 3 ton system | $5,150 | $5,900 | $7,950 | $5,750 |
| 4 ton system | $6,700 | $7,400 | $9,850 | $7,150 |
| 5 ton system | $8,000 | $8,850 | $11,600 | $8,450 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Denver metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $28 | $23 |
| Median | $34 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $43 | $37 |
The Denver market
Denver's Community Planning and Development offers quick permits for single-family homes and duplexes covering water heaters, residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers. Heat pumps are not named. Since March 1, 2023, select gas-fired equipment is no longer eligible for a quick permit, and the city lists added requirements when replacing a gas-fired water heater or an air conditioning unit, so read the Quick Permits page before you hire. Quick permits are inspected only in the field, where the inspector verifies the replacement meets current energy code efficiency. A licensed contractor may pull the permit, or an owner-occupant who passes a trade exam and lives in the home for at least a year after the work. Fees were not found. EIA found gas heats water in 73% of Colorado homes. Aurora, Centennial and the suburbs follow their own codes.
Cold-climate heat pumps now handle Front Range winters, though most installs keep a gas furnace as backup. Ask for the unit's heating capacity at low outdoor temperatures, and at what point the furnace takes over. Colorado's HEAR single-family program is closed for both regions as of August 2026, so a quote should not assume a state HEAR rebate. Ask the contractor about any utility rebates instead, and get the program name in writing.
Permits in Denver
| Permit for this job | Yes (quick permits for residential A/C, forced-air heating systems and boilers in single-family/duplex); heat pumps not named (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Not stated on the city pages we checked |
| Who can pull it | Licensed contractor, or owner-occupant of a single-family home who passes a trade exam (state license substitutes only for plumbing/electrical) |
| Inspection | Yes (field inspection; efficiency verified) |
Rebates in Colorado
HEAR: paused. HOMES: announced, not open yet. Source: Colorado Energy Office, checked October 13, 2026.
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Denver
Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) cost in other metros
Sources
- Denver Community Planning and Development: Quick permits
- Denver: Homeowner permits
- Colorado Energy Office: Home energy rebates
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split heat pump (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)