Tackling a heat pump installation isn’t for the faint of heart. The homeowners who decided to pocket a cool $7,000 by skipping professional installation quickly discovered why HVAC technicians charge what they do.
First came the planning phase—measuring and re-measuring to verify their new equipment would actually fit in the designated spaces. Six inches of clearance from walls for indoor units, four inches behind outdoor condensers. Simple on paper. Not so simple in practice.
The real fun began with the physical installation. Ever tried moving a 250-pound air handler without dropping it on your foot? Or positioning a 300-pound outdoor condenser unit that absolutely must sit level on a concrete pad? Yeah, not exactly weekend warrior territory. These aren’t IKEA bookcases we’re talking about.
HVAC equipment doesn’t come with Allen wrenches and stick figures. It comes with herniated discs and regret.
The homeowners found themselves drilling precise holes through exterior walls, carefully unrolling stubborn copper linesets that refused to straighten, and brazing connections with actual fire. Because nothing says “relaxing Saturday” like wielding oxygen and acetylene torches near your home’s foundation. Most DIYers find it takes about 4-5 hours to complete the entire installation process, including draining and filling the tank.
Electrical work proved equally charming. Mounting a new service disconnect box, reconnecting high and low-voltage wiring, and constantly checking connections with a meter to avoid, you know, electrocution or burning the house down. No pressure there.
Then came the plumbing aspects—installing temperature relief valves, setting up condensate drainage systems, and testing pumps by painstakingly filling them with water. Drop by drop. Thrilling stuff.
But the moment of truth arrived when they finally flipped the switch. After days of sweat, skinned knuckles, and colorful language that shocked the neighbors, their DIY heat pump actually worked. Professionals typically complete installations in 4-6 hours, showing just how challenging this DIY project truly was.
They saved thousands of dollars and gained intimate knowledge of every inch of their HVAC system—whether they wanted it or not.
Was it worth it? Ask them after they’ve forgotten about the bruises, the frustration, and that moment when the copper tube kinked at the worst possible time.
References
- http://hotwatersolutionsnw.org/diy/
- https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/21016936/how-to-install-a-mini-split-ac-heat-pump
- https://indoortemp.com/resources/heat-pump-system-installation-process
- https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2021/10/05/diy-heat-pump/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWBWdQy9qgw
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI1FlB2U46Y
- https://aquariushomeservices.com/blog/how-to-install-a-heat-pump/
