Installs in Columbine
Strata Heat Pumps installs heat pumps in Columbine, in every ZIP code listed on this page. The online estimate gives a price range and your rebates for a Columbine address in about two minutes.
Heat pump choices for Columbine homes
Census figures show 9,849 homes in Columbine, with 9,559 occupied. The town has a 1976 median build year, earlier than Jefferson County at 1980 and Colorado at 1987. That age calls for a careful look at insulation, ducts, and room by room comfort before choosing equipment.
Columbine has 7.5 median rooms, compared with 6.3 in Jefferson County and 5.7 statewide. Its 79.1% detached-home share also exceeds the county's 64.1% and Colorado's 61.8%. Many local homes have the layout and space for a central ducted heat pump or a dual-fuel system.
Homes built from 1960 to 1979 make up 68.1% of Columbine housing. That is higher than Jefferson County's 37.2% and Colorado's 24.3%. These homes need a duct inspection, since older homes are more likely to have small ducts or no ducts in some areas.
Owner occupancy reaches 90.1% in Columbine, above 70.6% in Jefferson County and 66.3% statewide. Detached houses account for 79.1% of local homes. A heat pump replacement can serve homeowners who want heating and cooling from one system.
Columbine compared with nearby towns
Columbine's 1976 median build year is earlier than Littleton's 1981, Ken Caryl's 1987, and Columbine Valley's 1979. Bow Mar is earlier at 1963. The large 1960 to 1979 share in Columbine makes sizing by the actual home more useful than sizing from construction age alone.
Utility gas heats 80.8% of Columbine homes. That matches Ken Caryl at 80.8%, while Columbine Valley reaches 88.3% and Bow Mar reaches 87.9%. Littleton is lower at 69.9%. Gas furnace homes are strong candidates for either a ducted heat pump replacement or dual fuel.
Columbine has 10.4% of homes in multi-unit buildings. This is below Littleton's 39% and Ken Caryl's 17.5%, and above Columbine Valley and Bow Mar at 0%. Ductless units fit condos, attached homes, additions, and homes without ducts.
The town's 18% electric-heated share exceeds Ken Caryl's 17.3%, Columbine Valley's 10.2%, and Bow Mar's 11.5%. It is below Littleton's 27.7%. Electric-heated homes can use ductless equipment where central ducts are absent, or a ducted system where existing ductwork is suitable.
Systems that fit Columbine housing
A ducted heat pump fits many of Columbine's 79.1% detached houses when ducts are sound and sized for the home. The system moves heat instead of burning fuel, and it also cools. We measure the home and check ducts and the electrical panel before we install.
Dual fuel fits gas-heated homes that want to retain a gas furnace for the coldest hours. With 80.8% of homes using utility gas, this option suits a large part of Columbine housing. The heat pump handles heating and cooling, while the furnace remains available at the lowest outdoor temperatures.
Ductless equipment suits homes without ducts, additions, condos, and smaller zones. Columbine has 10.2% attached houses and 10.4% in multi-unit buildings. A ductless approach lets each indoor unit serve its assigned area rather than forcing a central duct design into every home.
Homes built before 1960 account for 2.3% of Columbine housing. These older homes can need a different approach from the 68.1% built from 1960 to 1979. We check the home itself, including duct capacity and the electrical panel, before selecting a ducted, dual-fuel, or ductless path.
Sizing a heat pump in Columbine
Our estimate tool sizes equipment to 1°F outdoors and 70°F indoors at 5,300 ft. At that elevation, an air-source heat pump loses 18% of heat output. Sizing must account for altitude and deep cold, rather than relying on floor area alone.
For the example 2,000 square foot, 2-story home with a gas furnace, built from 1960 to 1979, the design heat load is 3.2 tons. The example needs a 30 A breaker. That build period represents 68.1% of homes in Columbine, so it is a useful local starting point.
At the design temperature, the equipment delivers 2 units of heat for each unit of electricity. The final size still depends on the measured home, ducts, and electrical panel. A larger system is not a substitute for checking those conditions.
For a 1,500 square foot ductless example, our estimate uses 3 indoor units. It assigns 500 sq ft of floor area per indoor unit and prices up to 5 indoor units before a custom quote. That approach fits Columbine's 10.4% multi-unit share and homes with additions or no ducts.
Columbine heat pump rebates
Columbine homeowners can combine the Xcel Energy rebate, the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount, and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate when the program rules apply. The state discount comes off the invoice. We file every rebate for the homeowner.
For Xcel Energy customers replacing a gas furnace, gas boiler, or propane heat, the Xcel Energy rebate is $1,500 per ton of heating. The State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount is $1,000, and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate is $1,500. Each applies to any of the three system types under its rule.
For Xcel Energy customers replacing electric heat, the Xcel Energy rebate is $750 per ton of heating. The state discount remains $1,000, and Power Ahead Colorado remains $1,500. Electric heat serves 18% of Columbine homes, compared with 23.1% in Jefferson County.
For a 3-ton ducted system in a gas-heated home, total rebates are $7,000. The program list is the Xcel Energy rebate ($4,500), the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000) and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate ($1,500). For a 3-ton ducted system in an electric-heated home, total rebates are $4,700, with the Xcel Energy rebate ($2,200), the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000) and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate ($1,500). The federal 25C credit ended for systems installed after 2025-12-31.
Example prices and ZIP code patterns
For the 2,000 square foot, 2-story gas-heated example built from 1960 to 1979, a ducted heat pump costs $17,400 to $31,200 before rebates. After rebates, the range is $10,100 to $23,900. Our estimate tool uses the home's build group, size, stories, heat source, and local sizing conditions.
For that same example, a dual-fuel system costs $14,000 to $25,200 before rebates and $6,700 to $17,900 after rebates. Dual fuel retains the gas furnace for the coldest hours. This matches a town where 80.8% of homes use utility gas for heat.
The 1,500 square foot ductless example costs $11,800 to $19,200 before rebates and $7,600 to $15,000 after rebates. It uses 3 indoor units. Jobs with several ductless units can take 2 or 3 days, while most installations take 1 day.
ZIP code 80123 has 19,759 homes and a 1987 median build year. Its 30.3% multi-unit share is higher than 80128 at 15.1%. Ductless systems deserve particular consideration for condos and attached homes in 80123.
ZIP code 80128 has 14,573 homes, a 1982 median build year, and 78.6% gas heat. ZIP code 80123 has 73.8% gas heat and 24.5% electric heat, compared with 19.6% electric heat in 80128. A home's ZIP code informs the starting point, but measured ducts and the design load determine the final system.
Columbine in numbers
| Homes | Median year built | Built before 1960 | Built 2010 or later | Gas heat | Electric heat | Propane | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbine | 9,849 | 1976 | 2.3% | 1.1% | 80.8% | 18% | 0.7% |
| Jefferson County | 251,183 | 1980 | 13.7% | 9.1% | 72.2% | 23.1% | 2.4% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80123 | Columbine | 19,759 | 1987 | 73.8% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
| 80128 | Columbine | 14,573 | 1982 | 78.6% | Xcel Energy | Yes |
Systems and rebates in Jefferson County
- Ducted heat pump in Jefferson CountyPrices by home age and the Jefferson rebates for this system.
- Dual-fuel heat pump in Jefferson CountyPrices by home age and the Jefferson rebates for this system.
- Ductless mini-split in Jefferson CountyPrices by home age and the Jefferson rebates for this system.
- Heat pump rebates in Jefferson County$7,000 on a 3-ton gas home, program by program.
- Pool heat pumps in Jefferson CountyPool and spa heat pumps: local code rules, running cost and the swim season.
Other towns we install in
Questions we hear
What heat pump system fits a typical Columbine house?
A ducted heat pump fits many of Columbine's 79.1% detached homes where ducts are in good condition. Dual fuel fits gas-heated homes that want to keep the furnace for the coldest hours. Ductless equipment fits condos, additions, and homes without ducts. Utility gas heats 80.8% of local homes, so ducted and dual-fuel options both deserve consideration.
How is a Columbine heat pump sized?
We size to 1°F outdoors and 70°F indoors at 5,300 ft. An air-source unit loses 18% of heat output at that elevation. The 2,000 square foot, 2-story gas example built from 1960 to 1979 has a 3.2 tons design heat load and needs a 30 A breaker. We also measure the home and check ducts and the electrical panel.
What rebates apply to gas-heated homes in Columbine?
For eligible Xcel Energy customers replacing gas heat, the Xcel Energy rebate is $1,500 per ton of heating. The State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount is $1,000, and the Power Ahead Colorado rebate is $1,500. For a 3-ton ducted gas-heated example, total rebates are $7,000. We file every rebate, and the state discount comes off the invoice.
What does the example Columbine installation cost?
For the 2,000 square foot, 2-story gas-heated example from 1960 to 1979, a ducted heat pump costs $17,400 to $31,200 before rebates and $10,100 to $23,900 after rebates. A dual-fuel system costs $14,000 to $25,200 before rebates and $6,700 to $17,900 after rebates. The example design heat load is 3.2 tons.
How do Columbine ZIP codes affect the system choice?
ZIP code 80123 has a 30.3% multi-unit share, compared with 15.1% in 80128. That makes ductless options particularly relevant for condos and attached homes in 80123. ZIP code 80128 has 78.6% gas heat, while 80123 has 73.8%. Both ZIP codes need home-specific sizing, duct checks, and electrical-panel review before equipment selection.