Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) replacement cost in Washington, DC
Installed, 3 ton system
A typical heat pump (3 ton system) costs about $5,950 installed in the Washington area, 3% above the national figure, because HVAC technicians here earn a median $35 an hour against $29 nationally.
Prices by size in Washington
| Size | Low | Typical | High | National typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ton system | $4,000 | $4,950 | $7,150 | $4,850 |
| 3 ton system | $5,100 | $5,950 | $7,900 | $5,750 |
| 4 ton system | $6,650 | $7,400 | $9,800 | $7,150 |
| 5 ton system | $7,950 | $8,850 | $11,550 | $8,450 |
Local labor: what HVAC technicians earn here
| Hourly wage | Washington metro | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile | $28 | $23 |
| Median | $35 | $29 |
| 75th percentile | $43 | $37 |
The Washington market
In the District, the Department of Buildings (DOB) says new and replacement gas appliances and new and replacement HVAC equipment need a permit. Only DC contractors licensed in the specific trade may apply, and a Mechanical Instant Permit, which covers installing one new air conditioning unit up to 10 tons, can only be issued to licensed contractors. You schedule a DOB inspection once the work is done, and a permit goes invalid if it has no approved inspection within 12 months. The fee schedule lists $36 for the first furnace, $65 for the first residential central AC system up to 5 tons and a $20 minimum plus 10%. Row houses with boilers and radiators are common: EIA found boilers provide main heat in 22% of DC homes and heat pumps in 14%. Arlington, Alexandria and the Maryland suburbs follow their own county rules.
DC offers help that most states do not. The DC Sustainable Energy Utility posts residential rebates on heat pumps and heat pump water heaters at any income, and its Affordable Home Electrification Program provides no-cost heat pumps to income-qualified households with DOEE approval. For a row house with radiators, ask whether ductless heads or a ducted system suits the floor plan.
Permits in Washington
| Permit for this job | Yes (source) |
|---|---|
| Fee | Itemized: furnace or unit heater $36 first, $16 each additional; central AC up to 5 tons (residential) $65 first; plumbing fixture $26 first, $20 each additional; minimum permit fee $20 (+10% = $22). Instant permit fees 'average $36.30'. |
| Who can pull it | Licensed DC trade contractor only for plumbing/mechanical trade permits |
| Inspection | Yes |
Rebates in District of Columbia
HEAR: open with limits. HOMES: status unclear. Source: DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE), checked October 13, 2026.
- DC Sustainable Energy Utility residential rebates: Heat pump, HPWH and HVAC rebates at any income ('up to $5,000 off electric equipment' enhanced rebates)
What these programs cover, and other states
Other systems in Washington
Heat pump (ducted, outdoor unit + air handler) cost in other metros
Sources
- DC DOB: What projects require a permit
- DC DOB: Mechanical Instant Permits
- DC DOB permit fee schedule
- DC Sustainable Energy Utility: residential rebates
- DCSEU: Affordable Home Electrification Program
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for space heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for water heating in U.S. homes by state
- EIA, 2020 RECS: Highlights for air conditioning in U.S. homes by state
- BLS OEWS May 2025, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (49-9021 HVAC mechanics and installers)
- DOE Residential CAC & Heat Pumps Direct Final Rule TSD (Dec 2016), Table 8.2.30, split heat pump (2015$; 4-ton interpolated)