Installs in Boulder
Strata Heat Pumps installs heat pumps in Boulder, in every ZIP code listed on this page. The online estimate gives a price range and your rebates for a Boulder address in about two minutes.
Boulder homes and the local housing mix
Boulder has 46,765 homes, with 43,825 occupied. Census figures show a median construction year of 1978 and 4.7 median rooms. Boulder County is newer, with a 1986 median year built and 5.8 median rooms. Colorado's median home dates to 1987 and has 5.7 rooms. Boulder homes need room by room review, rather than a system choice based on a statewide average.
Homes built from 1960 to 1979 make up 36.1% of Boulder housing, compared with 29% in Boulder County and 24.3% in Colorado. Another 18.2% of Boulder homes predate 1960, above the county's 12.5%. Older homes are more likely to have no ducts or small ducts. We measure the home, inspect ducts, and check the electrical panel before installation.
Boulder has 50.8% of homes in multiunit buildings, versus 30.7% in Boulder County and 26.9% in Colorado. Detached houses account for 39.2% here, while Boulder County has 57.9%. That mix calls for ductless options in condos and apartments, along with ducted and dual fuel systems for detached homes with usable ductwork.
Boulder compared with nearby towns
Boulder's 1978 median home age sits close to Gunbarrel's 1979 and Pine Brook Hill's 1976. Gunbarrel has 4,897 homes, while Pine Brook Hill has 319. Boulder's 36.1% share of homes built from 1960 to 1979 fits the era common in these nearby housing stocks. System sizing still starts with the actual home, its ducts, and its heating load.
Valmont has 43 homes, and 79.1% were built before 1960. Its housing is entirely detached, while Boulder has 39.2% detached homes. Valmont's electric heat share is 53.5%, compared with Boulder's 33.6%. A ductless heat pump suits homes without ducts, and a ducted system fits homes where ducts can carry the needed airflow.
Seven Hills has 44 homes, all using gas heat, and all in multiunit buildings. Boulder has 62.5% utility gas heat and 50.8% multiunit buildings. Gas-heated units with existing furnaces can suit dual fuel, which keeps the furnace for the coldest hours. Condos and smaller units can use ductless equipment, subject to the home layout and electrical panel.
How Boulder homes heat today
Utility gas heats 62.5% of Boulder homes. Electricity heats 33.6%, compared with 24.3% in Boulder County and 25.2% statewide. Propane heats 1.2% here. Heat pumps move heat rather than burn fuel, and they also cool the home. The current heating equipment is the first decision point for a replacement plan.
Gas heat is less common in Boulder than in Boulder County, where it reaches 69.9%, and in Colorado, where it reaches 66.7%. Electric heat is more common here than in Gunbarrel, where it is 16.9%, but lower than Valmont's 53.5%. Gas, electric, and propane homes each have a heat pump path and a different rebate combination.
For a detached Boulder house with sound ducts, a ducted heat pump can use the existing distribution system. For a gas-heated home where the furnace remains useful in deep cold, dual fuel pairs a heat pump with that furnace. For the 50.8% of Boulder homes in multiunit buildings, plus older homes without ducts, ductless indoor units serve separate rooms or zones.
Sizing a Boulder heat pump
We size equipment to 1°F outdoors and 70°F indoors, using 5,300 ft for Boulder. At that elevation, an air-source heat pump loses 18% of heat output. At the design temperature, our estimate uses a coefficient of performance of 2. These conditions make a load calculation and duct check necessary before choosing equipment.
Our example is a 2,000 square foot, 2 story Boulder home with a gas furnace, built from 1960 to 1979. Its design load is 3.2 tons, and its electrical breaker is 30 A. That construction period represents 36.1% of Boulder homes. The same example built before 1960 has a 3.4 tons design load, while one built from 1980 to 1999 has a 2.8 tons load.
Newer construction changes the load. A 2,000 square foot, 2 story gas home built from 2000 to 2009 has a 2.4 tons design load. A home built in 2010 or later has a 2.0 tons load. Boulder has 8.8% of homes from 2000 to 2009 and 9% built in 2010 or later. We check the building, ducts, and panel instead of sizing from square footage alone.
Boulder heat pump prices and rebates
For the example 1960 to 1979 home, our estimate tool places a ducted heat pump at $17,400 to $31,200 before rebates and $10,100 to $23,900 after rebates. A dual fuel system is $14,000 to $25,200 before rebates and $6,700 to $17,900 after rebates. Dual fuel has the lower quoted range for this gas-heated example because it keeps the gas furnace for the coldest hours.
A 1,500 square foot, one story home with electric heat and no ducts uses 3 indoor units in the ductless example. Its quoted price is $11,800 to $19,200 before rebates and $7,600 to $15,000 after rebates. Our estimate uses one ductless indoor unit per 500 sq ft of floor area, and prices up to 5 indoor units before a custom quote.
For a 3 ton ducted gas-heated home, total listed rebates are $7,000. They stack as the Xcel Energy rebate ($4,500), the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000) and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate ($1,500). A 3 ton ducted home now using electric heat has $4,700 in listed rebates, made up of the Xcel Energy rebate ($2,200), the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000) and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate ($1,500). The gas-heated total is greater because the Xcel Energy rebate differs by current heating fuel.
Rebates and ZIP codes in Boulder
Boulder County homes can use the Xcel Energy rebate for eligible gas furnace, gas boiler, propane, or electric heat replacements. The State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount applies to every Colorado home, and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate applies in Boulder County. The state discount comes off the invoice. We file every rebate for the homeowner.
Households under the program income limit in Boulder County can also seek the Boulder County income-qualified rebate of 50% of the price (up to $2,000). For a 3 ton gas job, the additional income-qualified amount is $1,700. The federal 25C credit ended for systems installed after 2025-12-31. Rebate eligibility depends on the current heat source, household qualification, and the selected system.
ZIP code 80301 has 12,644 homes and a 1985 median year built. Its gas heat share is 68.2%, and 50% of homes are in multiunit buildings. ZIP code 80302 has 13,556 homes, a 1974 median year built, and 31% built before 1960. Its gas heat share is 47.9%, electric heat is 34.4%, and propane is 11.7%, so current equipment matters sharply there.
ZIP code 80303 has 57% multiunit housing, the highest share among Boulder ZIP codes listed here, with 29.8% electric heat. ZIP code 80304 has 56% detached homes and 70.4% gas heat. ZIP code 80305 has 63.5% detached homes, a 1970 median year built, and 34% electric heat. These differences guide the choice between ducted, dual fuel, and ductless designs.
Boulder in numbers
| Homes | Median year built | Built before 1960 | Built 2010 or later | Gas heat | Electric heat | Propane | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | 46,765 | 1978 | 18.2% | 9% | 62.5% | 33.6% | 1.2% |
| Boulder County | 142,809 | 1986 | 12.5% | 12.6% | 69.9% | 24.3% | 3.1% |
| Colorado | 2,545,124 | 1987 | 16.3% | 14% | 66.7% | 25.2% | 4.9% |
| ZIP | Main town | Homes | Median year built | Heat with gas | Electric utility | Install area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80301 | Boulder | 12,644 | 1985 | 68.2% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
| 80302 | Lazy Acres | 13,556 | 1974 | 47.9% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
| 80303 | Boulder | 12,583 | 1978 | 66.3% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
| 80304 | Boulder | 11,717 | 1979 | 70.4% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
| 80305 | Boulder | 7,263 | 1970 | 63.4% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
Systems and rebates in Boulder County
- Ducted heat pump in Boulder CountyPrices by home age and the Boulder rebates for this system.
- Dual-fuel heat pump in Boulder CountyPrices by home age and the Boulder rebates for this system.
- Ductless mini-split in Boulder CountyPrices by home age and the Boulder rebates for this system.
- Heat pump rebates in Boulder County$7,000 on a 3-ton gas home, program by program.
- Pool heat pumps in Boulder CountyPool and spa heat pumps: local code rules, running cost and the swim season.
Other towns we install in
Questions we hear
Which heat pump system fits a Boulder home with ducts?
A ducted heat pump fits a home with ducts that can carry the needed airflow. Boulder has 39.2% detached houses, and 62.5% of homes use utility gas. For a gas-heated home with an existing furnace, dual fuel is another option. It uses the heat pump and keeps the furnace for the coldest hours. We inspect ducts and the electrical panel before installation.
What rebates apply to a gas-heated Boulder home?
Eligible gas-heated homes can combine the Xcel Energy rebate, the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount, and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate. For a 3 ton ducted gas-heated home, the listed total is $7,000. The programs and amounts are the Xcel Energy rebate ($4,500), the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000) and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate ($1,500). Boulder County households under the program income limit can also seek 50% of the price (up to $2,000).
How is a Boulder heat pump sized?
We size to 1°F outdoors and 70°F indoors, using 5,300 ft. Air-source equipment loses 18% of heat output at that elevation. A 2,000 square foot, 2 story gas home built from 1960 to 1979 has a 3.2 tons design load in our estimate. We measure the home and check its ducts and electrical panel before installation.
Why do Boulder ZIP codes need different heat pump plans?
Housing varies across Boulder ZIP codes. ZIP code 80302 has 31% of homes built before 1960 and 11.7% propane heat. ZIP code 80304 has 70.4% gas heat and 56% detached homes. ZIP code 80303 has 57% multiunit housing. Those differences affect the existing heating equipment, duct access, electrical needs, and the best system type.
What does a ductless heat pump cost for the Boulder example?
For a 1,500 square foot, one story home with electric heat and no ducts, the ductless example uses 3 indoor units. The price before rebates is $11,800 to $19,200, and the after-rebate range is $7,600 to $15,000. The estimate assigns one indoor unit per 500 sq ft of floor area and prices up to 5 units before a custom quote.