Heat Pump Installation & Repair in Missoula, MT

ProCare Climate installs and repairs cold-climate heat pumps, ductless mini-splits and hybrid heat pump systems in Missoula and Western Montana. We service all brands, and every new installation begins with a free estimate.

Get a free heat pump estimate or call 406-546-1289, 24/7.

Why Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Work in Montana

A heat pump moves heat instead of burning fuel to make it. Older heat pumps lost most of their output in hard cold, which is why they earned a bad reputation here. Today's cold-climate models use variable-speed (inverter) compressors and are built to keep producing useful heat well below 0°F, and many are rated to continue heating at -13°F or colder. Check the specific model's rating, because performance varies. The same equipment cools your home in summer, which matters more in Western Montana every year.

Choosing the Right Setup

There are three common ways to add a heat pump. A ducted heat pump replaces or joins your central air and uses your existing ductwork. A ductless mini-split puts wall or ceiling units in the rooms that need them, a great fit for additions, garages, shops, older homes with boilers, and homes heated by electric baseboard. A hybrid (dual-fuel) system pairs a heat pump with your furnace, so the heat pump handles most of the season and the furnace covers the coldest stretches. We'll recommend the setup that fits your house, not the one with the biggest ticket.

What a Heat Pump Installation Involves

We start with a heat-loss calculation and a look at your electrical panel, ductwork and where the outdoor unit can sit. In snow country, placement matters: we mount the outdoor unit on a stand or bracket above typical snow depth, keep it out from under roof drip lines, and give defrost water a place to drain so it doesn't build up as ice. Then we run refrigerant lines, pressure-test and evacuate the system, set up the controls, and show you how to use it in heating and cooling. Permits and inspections are part of the job, and we take care of both.

Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Repair

A heat pump that blows lukewarm air in mild weather, ices over and doesn't clear itself, runs on backup heat far more than usual, trips a breaker or makes grinding noises needs a look. Some frost on the outdoor coil in winter is normal; a solid block of ice is not.

Repair or Replace?

Repairs such as a failed fan motor, sensor, capacitor or control board are usually worth doing. Older single-speed heat pumps that leak refrigerant, need a compressor, or can't keep up in cold weather are often better replaced with a cold-climate model.

Homes, Businesses and New Construction

We install heat pumps in homes, rentals, offices and shops, and we design heat pump and hybrid systems for new houses and new commercial construction. We work on all brands, major or not.

Where We Work

From our Missoula base we install heat pumps in Lolo, Frenchtown, Stevensville, Hamilton and Polson and across Western Montana. Owner Jeremy Eisenmann has 10+ years of local HVAC experience. See all of our services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when it's too cold for my heat pump?

Your system switches to backup heat: electric heat strips built into the indoor unit, or your furnace or boiler in a hybrid setup. You stay warm either way, and the heat pump takes back over when temperatures rise.

Why is steam coming off my heat pump in winter?

That's the defrost cycle melting frost off the outdoor coil. It's normal and usually lasts a few minutes. Constant icing that never clears is not normal and should be checked.

Can a mini-split heat a whole house?

In some homes, yes, especially well-insulated, open floor plans. In many homes, mini-splits work best for specific zones or alongside existing heat. We'll tell you honestly which applies to yours.

Does a heat pump need its own maintenance?

Yes. Plan on a yearly check of refrigerant pressures, the electrical parts and the coils. Between visits, keep snow and debris clear of the outdoor unit and clean or replace the filters as recommended.

Get a free heat pump estimate or call 406-546-1289, 24/7.

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