Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Built for Chicagoland Winters
A heat pump heats and cools your home with one system, and today's cold-climate models keep heating through a real Chicago January. Mechanical Management & Design Solutions (MMDS) has installed heating and cooling systems across the northern and northwest suburbs since 2003. We size every heat pump to your house, not a rule of thumb, so it's comfortable on the coldest nights and cheaper to run the rest of the year.
Get a heat pump quote: Call or text (847) 221-6280 or schedule online.
Do heat pumps actually work in Chicago winters?
Yes, if you choose the right equipment. Older heat pumps struggled once it dropped below freezing, which is where their bad reputation comes from. Cold-climate heat pumps use variable-speed (inverter) compressors that keep producing heat well below zero. Depending on the model, many are rated to keep heating at -5°F and beyond.
What matters most is sizing and setup. We run a room-by-room load calculation, check your ductwork and electrical panel, and recommend a system that matches how your home actually loses heat.
Heat pump options we install
Ducted (central) heat pumps
A ducted heat pump replaces your central air conditioner and uses your existing ductwork, giving you whole-home heating and cooling from one outdoor unit. It’s the most common choice for homes that already have forced air.
Dual-fuel (hybrid) systems
A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a high-efficiency gas furnace. The heat pump handles cooling and most of your heating. The furnace takes over automatically on the handful of brutal days when gas is the cheaper or stronger option. For many Chicagoland homeowners, this is the easiest way to switch, because you keep the furnace as backup.
Ductless mini-splits
Ductless systems are ideal for additions, sunrooms, finished basements, older homes with boilers or radiators, and rooms that never get comfortable. Each indoor unit has its own temperature control, and there’s no ductwork to install.
Heat pump replacement and repair
Already have a heat pump that’s struggling or aging out? We service all major brands and can tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or a replacement will pay for itself.
Have solar panels? A heat pump makes them worth more
A heat pump runs on electricity, so the power your panels produce can cover a big share of your heating and cooling, instead of you buying gas all winter. We look at your solar production and your panel capacity before recommending a system. If you’re weighing the switch, read our complete guide to heat pumps and solar panels in Chicagoland.
ComEd discounts and financing
ComEd offers instant discounts on qualifying high-efficiency ducted heat pumps. There’s no mail-in form: as a ComEd heat pump-trained contractor, we take the discount right off your invoice at installation. The amount depends on the system’s heating capacity and efficiency:
| System | Efficiency | ComEd discount |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2.5 tons | 15.2+ SEER2, 8.1+ HSPF2 | Up to $900 |
| 2.5 tons and up | 15.2+ SEER2, 8.1+ HSPF2 | Up to $1,400 |
| Under 2.5 tons, high-efficiency | 17+ SEER2, 8.5+ HSPF2 | Up to $1,500 |
| 2.5 tons and up, high-efficiency | 17+ SEER2, 8.5+ HSPF2 | Up to $2,000 |
Add an ENERGY STAR smart thermostat installed with your heat pump for another $75. All tiers also require 9.4+ EER2 and a newer low-GWP refrigerant. Program amounts can change, so your written quote will show the exact discount for the equipment we recommend. Ductless mini-splits have their own ComEd discount, which we’ll include in your quote.
We also offer financing so you can spread the cost of a new system over time.
How much does a heat pump cost?
A heat pump typically runs $6,000–$10,000 installed, depending on the brand, size and setup. After the ComEd instant discount, the cost is much closer to a standard air conditioner, which typically runs $4,000–$8,000. Every estimate is free, in writing and itemized.
Our honest advice on efficiency: in the Chicago area, paying extra for equipment rated above about 17 SEER2 rarely pays for itself, because our cooling season is short. Ultra-high-efficiency units make more sense in places like Florida, where systems run nearly year-round. We’ll recommend the level that actually makes financial sense for your home, and 17 SEER2 is also where the top ComEd discount tier starts.
How a heat pump installation works with MMDS
- Home visit. We look at your current system, ductwork, insulation, electrical panel, and comfort problems.
- Load calculation and options. You get a written quote with clear options, such as ducted vs. dual-fuel, with the ComEd discount already figured in.
- Installation. Most ducted replacements take a day. We pull permits where your village requires them.
- Setup and walkthrough. We commission the system, set up your thermostat, and show you how it works in winter mode.
Why homeowners choose MMDS
- Family-run since 2003. When you call, you’ll talk to our team, not a call center.
- Honest recommendations. If a heat pump isn’t the right fit for your home, we’ll tell you.
- Fair pricing. One recent customer told us our quote for an inverter heat pump and two-stage furnace came in well below the other bids they got.
- 10-year factory parts warranty on all equipment we sell, with extended labor coverage included or available depending on the package.
- Brands we install and service: Trane, Carrier, Midea heat pumps, LG VRF systems, Bosch, Gree, Goodman, and more.
- Heating, cooling, and electrical under one roof. If your panel needs an upgrade for a heat pump, our electricians handle it on the same job.
Areas we serve
We install heat pumps in Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Highland Park, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Des Plaines, Skokie, Wilmette, Schaumburg, Lake Zurich, Crystal Lake, and surrounding communities.
Ready to see what a heat pump would cost for your home? Call or text (847) 221-6280 or schedule your estimate online.
Our HVAC services include:
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Cold-climate models keep heating well below zero, and many are rated for -5°F and lower depending on the model. In a dual-fuel setup, your gas furnace automatically handles the coldest stretches.
Yes. A dual-fuel system keeps your furnace as backup and lets the heat pump do most of the work. It is the most popular option for homes switching from gas heat.
Usually not. Most homes with central air can use their existing ducts. We check duct size and condition during the home visit and tell you upfront if anything needs to change.
Sometimes, especially in older homes or homes adding an EV charger at the same time. We check your panel during the estimate. Because we are also electricians, any upgrade is handled in-house.
Most ducted heat pump replacements are done in a day. Larger dual-fuel or multi-zone ductless jobs can take two to three days.
