We install and service air-source heat pumps, ductless mini split heat pumps, and geothermal systems, and we work with equipment from manufacturers including Coleman and Bryant. Which one is right depends far more on your house than on the brand.
Air-Source Heat Pumps
This is the most common configuration in the Hill Country, and for good reason. An air-source heat pump is essentially an air conditioner that can run in reverse — moving heat out of the house in summer and into it in winter.
Because it moves heat rather than generating it, a heat pump delivers substantially more heating energy than the electrical energy it consumes. In our climate, where winters are mild and cooling season is long, that efficiency shows up on the bill for most of the year.
Modern variable-speed units are a significant improvement over older equipment. Instead of cycling on and off at full power, they modulate output to match demand, which holds temperature more steadily and pulls far more humidity out of the air. In a Texas summer, humidity control is comfort.
Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
Ductless mini splits are heat pumps without ductwork — an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor heads by a small line set.
They solve problems central systems cannot. A garage conversion, an addition that was never on the original duct design, a shop, a wine room, or a room that has always been ten degrees off from the rest of the house. They are also the practical answer in homes where running new ducts would mean tearing into finished ceilings.
Multi-zone configurations run several indoor heads from one outdoor unit, with independent temperature control in each zone. That zoning is genuinely valuable in houses where one side gets afternoon sun and the other does not.
Geothermal Systems
Geothermal heat pumps exchange heat with the ground rather than the outside air. Because soil temperature stays relatively constant year-round, they avoid the efficiency penalty that air-source equipment experiences at temperature extremes.
The tradeoff is installation. Geothermal requires a ground loop — buried horizontally where there is land, or drilled vertically where there is not — which makes the upfront cost considerably higher and the site conditions decisive. On acreage with suitable soil it can be an excellent long-term investment. On a small lot it usually is not feasible.
We will tell you honestly whether your property is a candidate before anyone gets excited about it.
Hybrid and Dual-Fuel Configurations
A heat pump paired with a gas furnace gives you both: the heat pump handles mild weather efficiently, and the furnace takes over when temperatures drop far enough that the heat pump loses its advantage.
These hybrid fuel systems make particular sense for homes that already have gas service and a furnace worth keeping. The controls switch fuel sources automatically based on outdoor temperature, so you get efficiency without sacrificing heating capacity during a hard freeze.
Sizing Matters More Than Brand
The most consequential decision in a heat pump project is not which manufacturer. It is whether the system is sized correctly.
An oversized heat pump short-cycles: it satisfies the thermostat quickly, shuts off, and never runs long enough to dehumidify. The house hits the setpoint and still feels clammy. An undersized one runs constantly and leans on auxiliary heat, which is electric resistance and expensive.
Correct sizing requires a load calculation based on your home’s square footage, insulation, window area and orientation, and air leakage — not a rule of thumb. Existing ductwork has to be evaluated too, since heat pumps often move more air than the equipment they replace and undersized ducts will choke them.
Installation and Ongoing Service
We handle installation, commissioning, and long-term service on all of it. Heat pumps benefit especially from regular maintenance because they run year-round rather than seasonally, and our Care Club maintenance plan covers both modes.
Financing is available. We serve Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Boerne, Comfort, Mason, and the surrounding Hill Country. For a load calculation and recommendation, contact 72 Degrees or call (830) 468-5316.
