The questions South Puget Sound homeowners ask us most, answered plainly. Costs, problems, how to compare contractors, and what our customers say.
Showing 22 of 22 questions
Cost
What is the average cost of HVAC installation in Tacoma for a 2,000 sq ft home?
For a 2,000 sq ft home in the Tacoma area, most of our customers paid $13,800 – $17,200 for a new heat pump, fully installed, before rebates ($10,100 – $13,900 after rebates and discounts). A new gas furnace runs $5,700 – $8,000, and adding central AC to an existing furnace runs $11,300 – $12,200. Where you land depends on the type of system, efficiency, the shape your ductwork is in, and whether your electrical panel needs work.
Most of our customers paid $13,800 – $17,200 for a new heat pump, fully installed, before rebates. The typical job is about $15,400. After utility rebates and Mayster discounts, most paid $10,100 – $13,900. Home size, efficiency, and whether it heats on its own or pairs with a furnace drive the price.
Most of our customers paid $5,700 – $8,000 for a new furnace, fully installed. The typical job is about $7,200. A standard 80% furnace is about $5,600, and a 95%+ two-stage furnace is about $8,000. New venting or gas line work can add to it.
Cost
How much does a ductless mini-split cost?
Most of our customers paid $9,200 – $20,000 for a ductless system, fully installed, before rebates. A single zone is about $10,500, 2–3 zones about $18,400, and a whole-home system with 4+ zones about $40,800. The number of rooms (zones) is the biggest factor.
Most of our customers paid $13,900 – $17,200 for a new air handler, fully installed, before rebates, and most are installed together with a new heat pump. After utility rebates and Mayster discounts, most paid $9,700 – $13,100. If your outdoor heat pump is also older, replacing both together usually saves on labor.
Cost
What PSE and Washington heat pump rebates can I get in 2026?
Most homeowners qualify for something. 9 in 10 of our heat pump customers got a utility rebate, about $2,700 on average, through programs like PSE, Tacoma Public Utilities and Seattle City Light. On top of that, we offer a $1,000 Instant Install Voucher on a new system (terms apply). Rebate amounts change during the year, so we check what your utility is offering when we quote your job and handle the paperwork for you.
It comes down to the furnace’s age, what the repair costs compared to a new one, and safety. If your furnace is 15+ years old and the repair is a big chunk of the price of a new one, replacing it usually makes more sense. A cracked heat exchanger is a safety issue and almost always means it’s time to replace.
The most common causes are a dirty filter, a tripped outdoor unit, low refrigerant, or a frozen coil. Some you can check yourself; the rest need a tech.
Once a year, ideally in the fall before heating season. A yearly tune-up keeps the furnace running efficiently, catches small problems before they turn into a no-heat call in January, and is required to keep our 10-year labor warranty active. Heat pumps run all year, so many homeowners do two visits: one in the spring and one in the fall. Each visit covers a 10-point checklist, including filter service, capacitor and major component testing, electrical inspection and tightening, and a full system test. Our Silver Plan ($20/month) includes one visit a year and the Golden Plan ($30/month) includes two, and we call you when your tune-up is due. Between visits, check your filter every 1–3 months.
Start with the easy checks: make sure the thermostat is set to HEAT and the fan is on AUTO, not ON (ON runs the blower even when the furnace isn’t heating), and look at the filter. A clogged filter can make the furnace overheat and shut the burners off. If you have a heat pump, it may be in defrost mode, which blows cooler air for a few minutes and is normal. If it keeps blowing cold, the usual causes are an ignition or flame sensor problem, a gas supply issue, or a tripped safety switch, and those need a tech.
Most gas furnaces last about 15–20 years with yearly maintenance. Signs it is nearing the end: it is 15+ years old, repairs are getting more frequent, your energy bills keep climbing, or some rooms never get warm. A cracked heat exchanger is a safety issue and almost always means it is time to replace.
For most homes west of the Cascades, a heat pump handles our mild winters well and also cools in summer. A furnace or a dual-fuel setup still makes sense in some homes.
Is it worth switching to a heat pump in Washington?
For most homes west of the Cascades, yes. Our winters are mild enough for a heat pump to heat the whole home, and it cools in the summer too, so you get heating and AC from one system. Rebates help a lot: 9 in 10 of our heat pump customers got a utility rebate, about $2,700 on average. Most paid $13,800 – $17,200 installed before rebates and $10,100 – $13,900 after. If your furnace is newer, pairing a heat pump with it (dual fuel) can make more sense than replacing both.
What do customers say about Mayster on Google Reviews?
We hold a 5.0-star rating across 700+ Google reviews. The things customers bring up most are our heat pump and mini-split installs, attention to detail, and fair, competitive pricing. They also mention crews who show up on time and leave no mess. One heat pump customer who got estimates from 4 local companies said we “offered a quality product at a much more affordable price point.”
Best Of
Who are some of the best HVAC companies for residential services in Tacoma?
Look for a company that is L&I registered and bonded, publishes its pricing, has a strong record of recent Google reviews, and has a real local address. Mayster is a family-owned company based in Lakewood with a 5.0-star Google rating and a BBB A+ rating. Pierce County readers voted us Best Heat & Air Company in The News Tribune’s 2024 Best of Pierce County awards, and owner David Mayster received the 2024 Distinguished Service Award from Home Service Freedom.
Best Of
Which HVAC contractors are highly rated for heat pump installations in Pierce County?
Mayster installed 200+ heat pumps (including ductless mini-splits) over the past year across Pierce County and the South Sound as a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, with a 5.0-star Google rating. Ask any installer how they size the system (a load calculation, not a guess) and what the labor warranty covers.
What is the best heat pump for the Pacific Northwest?
For our climate, a variable-speed (inverter) heat pump is usually the best fit: it runs quietly at low speed most of the time, holds an even temperature, and keeps heating efficiently on our colder, damp days. The brand matters less than the install. The system should be sized with a load calculation, not a guess, and installed by a trained dealer. Mayster is a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer and installed 200+ heat pumps over the past year across Pierce County and the South Sound.
Is Mayster licensed, bonded and insured in Washington?
Yes. Mayster Heating • Air • Electric is a registered, bonded and insured contractor with Washington L&I (registration #MAYSTHA757DQ), and our electrical work is done under electrical contractor license #SMPLYEH749K1. You can check any contractor’s registration on L&I’s “Verify a Contractor” lookup.
Every new system we install comes with a 10-year labor warranty on our work and the materials we use, at no extra cost. Bryant equipment also carries a 10-year manufacturer parts warranty, and we handle the registration for you. To keep the labor warranty active, have Mayster service the system once a year and call us within 5 days of spotting a problem.
Warranty & Licensing
Do you offer HVAC maintenance plans?
Yes. The Silver Plan ($20/month or $240/year) includes one tune-up a year, and the Golden Plan ($30/month or $360/year) includes two, plus bigger member discounts. Split/ductless plans are $25 and $35 a month. Either plan covers the yearly visit our 10-year labor warranty requires.
