Dual-fuel heat pump installs in Larimer County
Strata Heat Pumps installs heat pumps in Larimer County, in every ZIP code listed on this page. The online estimate gives a price range and your rebates for an address in Larimer County in about two minutes.
Dual-fuel heat pumps in Larimer County
A dual-fuel heat pump pairs an air-source heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump moves heat and also cools. The furnace remains available for the coldest hours. Census figures show that 70.4% of Larimer County homes use utility gas for heat, compared with 66.7% statewide. That makes dual fuel a direct fit for many homes replacing an AC unit while keeping a working gas furnace.
Larimer County has 161,882 homes, and its median home was built in 1993. Colorado's median is 1987. The county has 29.8% of homes built from 1980 to 1999 and 19% built in 2010 or later. These homes commonly have ducts, so we check the duct layout and furnace before selecting a dual-fuel system.
Homes that suit dual fuel in Larimer County
Detached houses account for 64.7% of county homes, above Colorado's 61.8%. Dual fuel fits a detached home with a gas furnace and usable central ducts. County homes have a median of 6 rooms, compared with 5.7 statewide. We measure the home, then check ducts and the electrical panel before installation.
Older homes need closer duct attention. Larimer County has 10.2% of homes built before 1960, while 16.3% of Colorado homes fall in that group. Older homes are more likely to have small ducts or no ducts. A ductless system suits a home without ducts, while a ducted heat pump uses central ducts without retaining gas backup.
Propane heats 4% of county homes, close to Colorado's 4.9%. Xcel Energy supplies gas here. A dual-fuel setup keeps a gas furnace, so we confirm rebate eligibility at the walkthrough. Homes heating with electricity, propane, wood, fuel oil, solar, or another fuel need a system choice based on the existing equipment and ducts.
Dual fuel by town in Larimer County
Fort Collins has 73,332 homes, with 67.8% using gas heat and 36.4% in multi-unit buildings. Its median build year is 1992. A dual-fuel system suits gas-heated houses with central ducts. Condo homes and other multi-unit buildings need equipment and duct access checked first. Loveland has 35,330 homes, a 1993 median build year, and 76.9% gas heat. Its 63.4% detached-house share points to many central-system candidates.
Estes Park has 4,203 homes, with 74.9% gas heat and 16.4% built before 1960. Laporte has 1,078 homes, a 1976 median build year, and 79.9% gas heat. Those older home shares make duct condition part of sizing. Red Feather Lakes differs sharply. Its 943 homes use 71.4% propane heat and 0% gas heat, so a retained gas furnace is not the starting point there.
Timnath has 2,855 homes and 90.4% gas heat. Its median build year is 2015, and 85.2% of homes were built in 2010 or later. Wellington has 4,059 homes, 84.9% gas heat, and a 2010 median build year. These newer, gas-heated detached homes are strong dual-fuel candidates after we verify the furnace, ducts, and panel.
Dual-fuel prices by home age
Our estimate tool prices a representative gas-heated home by build period and design load. For homes built before 1960, the design load is 3.2 tons and dual-fuel pricing is $14,000 to $25,200 before rebates. For homes built from 1960 to 1979, the load is 3.0 tons and dual-fuel pricing is $12,100 to $25,200. A ducted heat pump for those same build groups is $17,400 to $31,200 and $15,100 to $31,200. A ductless setup is $11,800 to $19,200 or $11,800 to $19,200 for the listed no-duct home.
For homes built from 1980 to 1999, the design load is 2.7 tons and dual-fuel pricing is $12,100 to $22,500. The comparable ducted price is $15,100 to $27,900, and ductless is $11,800 to $19,200. For homes built from 2000 to 2009, the load is 2.3 tons, with dual fuel at $10,200 to $19,800, ducted at $12,800 to $24,600, and ductless at $11,800 to $19,200.
Homes built in 2010 or later have a listed design load of 1.9 tons. Their dual-fuel price is $10,200 to $17,100, compared with $12,800 to $21,300 for ducted heat pumps and $11,800 to $19,200 for ductless equipment. Build year changes the starting load, but we size the actual home rather than choosing equipment from age alone.
Dual-fuel prices by system size
Our estimate tool lists dual-fuel pricing by size. A 2 ton system is $10,200 to $14,400. A 3 ton system is $14,000 to $19,800. A 4 ton system is $17,900 to $25,200. A 5 ton system is $21,700 to $30,600. The comparable ducted heat-pump prices are $12,800 to $18,000, $17,400 to $24,600, $22,100 to $31,200, and $26,800 to $37,800. Dual fuel costs less in each listed size because it keeps the furnace for the coldest hours.
Ductless equipment prices by indoor-unit count are $5,800 to $9,400, $8,800 to $14,300, $11,800 to $19,200, $14,800 to $24,100, and $17,800 to $28,900. Our estimate prices up to 5 ductless indoor units, using 500 sq ft per indoor unit. Ductless is the better comparison for additions, condos, and homes without ducts. Dual fuel is the better comparison for a gas-heated house with central ducts and a furnace worth retaining.
Sizing a dual-fuel system in Larimer County
We size to an outdoor design temperature of 5°F and an indoor design temperature of 70°F. Our sizing uses an elevation of 5,300 ft. At that elevation, an air-source unit loses 18% of heat output. At the design temperature, the listed heat output per unit of electricity is 2. Those conditions set the heat-pump size and the point where the furnace takes over.
For the representative home in our estimate tool, the design heat load is 2.7 tons and the breaker is 30 A. Its dual-fuel price is $12,100 to $22,500 before rebates and $7,200 to $17,600 after rebates. A gas furnace handles the coldest hours, while the heat pump handles heating and cooling through the rest of the system's operation.
The listed dual-fuel price includes the outdoor unit, matched indoor coil, dual-fuel controls, line set, standard 240V circuit, thermostat, permit, and removal of old AC. Most installations take 1 day. Jobs with several ductless units can take 2 or 3 days. We install Mitsubishi, Bosch, Daikin, Carrier, and Trane equipment.
Larimer County dual-fuel rebates
Two rebate programs apply here. The Xcel Energy rebate is $1,500 per ton of heating for Xcel Energy customers whose homes now heat with a gas furnace, gas boiler, or propane, on any of the 3 system types. The State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount is $1,000 for every Colorado home, also on any of the 3 system types. The state discount comes off the invoice.
For a 3 ton dual-fuel system in a gas-heated home, the total listed rebates are $5,500. The listed programs are the Xcel Energy rebate ($4,500) and the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000). Dual-fuel rebate eligibility is confirmed at the walkthrough. We file every rebate for the homeowner, and a winter gas bill makes the online estimate more accurate.
The federal 25C credit ended for systems installed after 2025-12-31. A ducted heat pump is the all-electric central alternative, with gas-home rebates of $5,500. A ductless mini-split fits homes without ducts, additions, and condos. Its gas-home rebate total is $5,500. Dual fuel retains the gas furnace for the coldest hours.
Larimer County towns
| Homes | Median year built | Built before 1960 | Built 2010 or later | Gas heat | Electric heat | Propane | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins | 73,332 | 1992 | 8.9% | 16.5% | 67.8% | 29.1% | 1.5% |
| Loveland | 35,330 | 1993 | 11.4% | 16.7% | 76.9% | 21% | 1.3% |
| Estes Park | 4,203 | 1991 | 16.4% | 5.4% | 74.9% | 20.1% | 1.9% |
| Laporte | 1,078 | 1976 | 11.1% | 0% | 79.9% | 17.8% | 1.4% |
| Red Feather Lakes | 943 | 1965 | 42.9% | 0% | 0% | 28.6% | 71.4% |
| Timnath | 2,855 | 2015 | 0.7% | 85.2% | 90.4% | 8.7% | 0.8% |
| Wellington | 4,059 | 2010 | 3.8% | 50.8% | 84.9% | 14.6% | 0% |
- Heat pumps in Fort Collins73,332 homes, median year built 1992.
- Heat pumps in Loveland35,330 homes, median year built 1993.
- Heat pumps in Estes Park4,203 homes, median year built 1991.
- Heat pumps in Laporte1,078 homes, median year built 1976.
- Heat pumps in Red Feather Lakes943 homes, median year built 1965.
- Heat pumps in Timnath2,855 homes, median year built 2015.
- Heat pumps in Wellington4,059 homes, median year built 2010.
More for Larimer County
- Ducted heat pump in Larimer CountyPrices by home age and the Larimer rebates for this system.
- Ductless mini-split in Larimer CountyPrices by home age and the Larimer rebates for this system.
- Heat pump rebates in Larimer County$5,500 on a 3-ton gas home, program by program.
- Pool heat pumps in Larimer CountyPool and spa heat pumps: local code rules, running cost and the swim season.
Questions we hear
Who is a dual-fuel heat pump best for in Larimer County?
Dual fuel fits a home with a gas furnace, central ducts, and a need for heating and cooling. Census figures show 70.4% of Larimer County homes use utility gas. Fort Collins has 67.8% gas heat, Loveland has 76.9%, Timnath has 90.4%, and Wellington has 84.9%. We inspect the furnace, ducts, and electrical panel before choosing equipment.
What does a dual-fuel system cost by size?
Our estimate tool lists a 2 ton dual-fuel system at $10,200 to $14,400, a 3 ton system at $14,000 to $19,800, a 4 ton system at $17,900 to $25,200, and a 5 ton system at $21,700 to $30,600. The final size comes from the home's measured heat load, duct condition, elevation, and the outdoor design temperature.
What rebates apply to dual fuel in Larimer County?
For a 3 ton dual-fuel system in a gas-heated home, listed rebates total $5,500. The listed programs are the Xcel Energy rebate ($4,500) and the State of Colorado Heat Pump Discount ($1,000). Xcel Energy eligibility requires its customers and homes now heating with a gas furnace, gas boiler, or propane. The Colorado state discount applies to every Colorado home and comes off the invoice.
How do you size dual fuel for Larimer County conditions?
We size at 5°F outdoors and 70°F indoors, using 5,300 ft. An air-source unit loses 18% of heat output at that elevation. The heat pump provides heating and cooling, while the retained gas furnace covers the coldest hours. We measure the home and inspect ducts before selecting the system size.
What is included in the dual-fuel price?
The listed price includes the outdoor unit, matched indoor coil, dual-fuel controls, line set, standard 240V circuit, thermostat, permit, and removal of old AC. Most installations take 1 day. We file every rebate for the homeowner. The Colorado state discount comes off the invoice, and dual-fuel eligibility is confirmed at the walkthrough.