Heat Pump Installation in Bakersfield, CA

Heat pumps in Bakersfield

A heat pump is an air conditioner that can also run in reverse to heat the house. In a place with long hot summers and mild winters, it can replace both the AC and the furnace.

Updated October 29, 2026

Why it fits this climate

Bakersfield's heating season is short and mild. Over 2016-2025 the average December low at Meadows Field was 41.2°F, which is easy work for a modern heat pump. The summer is the hard part, and a heat pump cools exactly like a central air conditioner.

About 35% of homes in the ZIP codes we cover already heat with electricity (Census ACS 2020-2024). For those homes, a heat pump replaces an AC and electric heat strips or baseboards with one system that heats far more efficiently. In south Bakersfield, Lamont and Arvin, the electric share is around half.

What it costs

Fixr puts an installed heat pump at $5,000 to $15,000, with $8,350 typical. Ductless mini split heat pumps are priced separately. Mini splits.

Gas homes

About 58% of homes here heat with gas. If the furnace is young and only the AC has failed, replacing just the outdoor unit may make sense. If both are old, price a heat pump against an AC plus a furnace. Some contractors also offer a dual-fuel setup that keeps the gas furnace as backup.

Permits and testing

California's Energy Code requires refrigerant charge verification on air-source heat pumps in every climate zone when the outdoor unit or other refrigerant parts are replaced. The contractor pulls the permit. What gets checked.

Running cost on PG&E

A heat pump moves your gas heating onto the electric bill. If you are on a PG&E time-of-use plan, heating mostly happens off peak, but summer cooling between 4 and 9 p.m. is the expensive part. Cutting a PG&E cooling bill.

Questions Bakersfield homeowners ask

Do heat pumps work in Bakersfield heat?

Yes. In cooling mode a heat pump works like a central air conditioner. Size it from a load calculation for the house so it keeps up on 105 degree afternoons.

How much does a heat pump cost to install?

Fixr's published range is $5,000 to $15,000, with $8,350 typical. Prices vary with size and efficiency, and with any duct work.

Should I replace a gas furnace with a heat pump?

If the furnace and the AC are both near the end of their life, price a heat pump against replacing both. If the furnace is young, replacing only the AC can make more sense.