Ducted heat pump installation cost in Massachusetts
A ducted (central) heat pump distributes heated and cooled air through your home’s ductwork and air vents. It’s a strong fit for homes that already have a forced-air system with ductwork in good or fair condition.
Forge quotes two types of ducted installation, and the cost difference between them is significant.
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Equipment swap vs. new ductwork
Equipment swap
If your home has existing ductwork in good or fair condition, Forge replaces just the outdoor condenser and indoor air handler with minimal duct modifications needed. This is the most cost-effective path for homes with usable ducts.
Equipment swap pricing (before rebates):
- 1 floor: $5,400–$15,400
- 2 floors: $24,300–$34,300
- 3 floors: $43,200–$53,200
New ductwork installation
If your home has poor ductwork or no ductwork at all — but has unfinished attic and basement space where ducts can be run — Forge can install a full ducted system from scratch. This is priced per room (including bathrooms) because the labor scales with every room that needs duct runs.
New ductwork pricing (before rebates):
- 5 rooms: $17,000–$27,000
- 7 rooms: $29,600–$39,600
- 9 rooms: $42,200–$52,200
- 12 rooms: $61,100–$71,100
New ductwork is only recommended when a home has poor or missing ducts and has the unfinished space needed to run them. If your home doesn’t meet both conditions, the calculator will recommend a ductless system instead.
When does Forge recommend ducted?
Forge’s calculator recommends a ducted system when:
- You’re in a single-family home (multi-family always goes ductless)
- You prefer ducted, or you’re unsure and your home has usable ductwork
- Your ductwork is in good or fair condition (for equipment swap)
- Or your ductwork is poor/missing but you have unfinished attic and basement space (for new ductwork)
If you’re unsure about your ductwork condition, Forge evaluates it during the in-home assessment.
That said, just because Forge’s calculator recommends a specific system, doesn’t mean that is absolutely the best system for your home or your needs. If our calculator says one thing but you want another, we’ll of course discuss that with you at your site visits and make a recommendation accordingly.
Mass Save rebates for ducted systems
Ducted heat pump installations are eligible for Mass Save rebates of up to $8,500. Forge handles the rebate submission and collection on your behalf.
After-rebate examples:
- $24,300–$34,300 before rebates (2-floor swap) → $15,800–$25,800 after rebates
- $29,600–$39,600 before rebates (7-room new ductwork) → $21,100–$31,100 after rebates
What’s included
Every ducted installation includes the heat pump condenser(s), air handler(s), thermostats, electrical equipment, all materials, in-house HVAC technicians and electricians doing the install, permitting, inspection scheduling, and Mass Save rebate processing.
Electrical upgrades (needed in about half of homes) and hot water heaters are quoted separately.
Is ducted right for your home?
Ducted systems are a strong fit for newer construction and homes with existing forced-air heating — particularly single-floor ranches and two-story homes where ductwork is already in place. If your home has no ductwork and no unfinished space to run it, a ductless system will be more practical and cost-effective. But, if you want new ductwork, we can always discuss it as a possibility.