Heil/Tempstar Heat Pump Prices and Reviews 2023

Note: Before you dive into the specific brand review, we highly recommend you to read our elaborate Heat Pump Buying Guide in advance, there are several crucial steps you need to take before you even start to think about the brand.

Heil and Tempstar are made by International Comfort Products (ICP), a large manufacturer of residential heating and air conditioning equipment. ICP is owned by United Technologies, the parent company of Carrier and Bryant. Most Heil and Tempstar HVAC products are distinct from Carrier and Bryant but identical to regional ICP brands like Comfortmaker and Arcoaire.

This Tempstar and Heil heat pump guide is designed to allow you to research heat pump models, their efficiency and performance features plus heat pump prices by model and size. Heil and Tempstar heat pump installation costs are included, so you’ll have a clear idea of what to expect when you get estimates from local dealers.

If you’re still deciding if a heat pump is the right choice for your home, there’s a wealth of information in our Heat Pump Buying Guide with brand reviews, sizing a heat pump and much more.

Heil and Tempstar Heat Pump Unique Features

There are several performance features worth noting in these Heil and Tempstar heat pumps. Consider these Tempstar heat pumps and Heil heat pumps pros.

The top models, the Heil QuietComfort Deluxe 18 HVH8 and the Tempstar Deluxe TVH8 with SmartSense feature condensers with compressors with 5 unique stages of heating and air conditioning ranging in capacity from 25% to 100%. Low-capacity heating and air conditioning is more efficient, quieter and more precise.  The 19 SEER is good; the 11 HSPF heating is near the top of the industry. Only Carrier and Bryant top models with 13 HSPF are more efficient when heating.

The Observer thermostat is WiFi-enabled for remote monitoring and control. This can help you lower energy use, turning your system down while you’re away, and turning it back up before you arrive home. The unit does not have geofencing like the ecobee 4 and Lux Geo.

All heat pump models from these brands can be used in dual fuel systems with a gas furnace. Dual fuel, also called hybrid, systems are ideal for cold climates. The system heats with the heat pump when temperatures are above the switch point, which is usually set in the mid-30s Fahrenheit. When the temperature drops below the point, the system automatically switches to the furnace for heating, and back again when temperatures rise. Dual fuel systems cost more than an AC and gas furnace split system, but they’re operating costs are lower.

Finally, Heil and Tempstar offer 10-year and 5-year complete unit replacement warranties on most models. If the compressor fails during that time, the entire outdoor unit will be replaced.

Tempstar and Heil Heat Pump Cons

The brands don’t make modulating heat pumps, as most top brands do. Modulating, also called variable-capacity, compressors offer the most comfortable heating and air conditioning and the highest efficiencies. See the Lennox XP25, for example, with a SEER rating of 23.5 compared with the 19 SEER of the best from these brands. The 5-speed compressors of the top model from each brand is the closest thing to it.

Here’s the good and bad of communicating HVAC systems. Heil and Tempstar offer ICP’s version of communicating technology called Observer. See the table below for models it’s available with as an option. In communicating HVAC systems, the components share conditions and performance data to coordinate the most precise heating and air conditioning the system can produce. This offers maximum efficiency and control.

The downside is that communicating technology is slightly more susceptible to mechanical/control board issues. Each communicating technology is proprietary, so if you choose this option, you’ll need the Observer wall control thermostat, an upgrade of about $400. We recommend that you read our Communicating vs. Non-communicating HVAC Guide before buying one of these expensive systems.

Heil and Tempstar Model Reviews and Recommendation

There are 10 heat pump models divided into three series to group them by performance and efficiency. This table summarizes the essential features of each.

The Heil HVH8 and HCH6 and the Tempstar TVH8 and TCH6 are the most efficient models, so they are best suited to climates with weather extremes in summer and winter. If your winters are very cold, combining one of these in a dual fuel split system with an efficient gas furnace would pay back the extra cost in 5-8 years and produce very low utility costs.

The 16 SEER Heil HSH6 and HSH5, and the Tempstar TSH6 and TSH5, offer very good efficiency at the lower cost of a single-stage heat pump. They should be considered where summers are warm but not extreme.

These brands make two specialty heat pumps. The Performance N4H4**C models from each brand are built for coastal environments with coatings to resist the salt in the air. The Performance NH4H4 models are compact heat pumps designed for installation beneath decks and similar locations where space is tight.

Heil and Tempstar Heat Pump Prices

The Tempstar Deluxe and Heil QuietComfort Deluxe heat pumps are offered in sizes from 2-5 tons, or 24,000 BTU to 60,000 BTU. All other models range from 1.5 tons (18,000 BTU) to 5 tons.

This table of Tempstar and Heil heat pump prices is useful when comparing prices with the many other brands we’ve reviewed. Just use our search box to find other brand heat pump reviews.

Note that the installed cost includes the labor required plus all necessary parts such as a pad to place it on, refrigerant line sets and refrigerant. If the heat pump you’re installing has performance features such as two-stage heating that your current thermostat doesn’t support, you’ll need a new thermostat too. The $400 for the QuietComfort wall control for Observer-optional models is not included, since it is not standard equipment.

Heil and Tempstar Heat Pump Prices by Size

Knowing what size heat pump you need is an essential factor in the buying process. Your HVAC pro should use industry-standard load calculations like the Manual J test to determine heat pump sizing to match your home’s climate, size, layout, building materials, orientation and more factors.

If your home’s energy efficiency has been upgraded since the last heat pump was installed, then you might need a smaller heat pump this time. Upgrades that increase energy efficiency include attic insulation, energy-efficient replacement windows and a solar-reflective roof. This list from the Department of Energy will help you identify upgrades that have been made and others to consider.

This table prices heat pumps from these brands by size. Keep in mind that the range for each size starts with the least efficient, single-stage models to the most efficient, HVH8 and TVH8 heat pumps.

Note: Not sure what size Maytag heat pump you need? Try our heat pump sizing calculator which is more accurate than most other calculators online.

Shared Prices and Reviews By Reader

How to Get the Best Heil Heat Pump Prices?

• Firstly, keep in mind that installation quality is always the most important thing for heat pump project. So never sacrifice contractor quality for lower price.
• Secondly, remember to look up the latest tax credit and rebates.
• Thirdly, ask for at least 3 bids before you make the decision. You can click here to get 3 free estimates from your local contractors, and this estimate already takes rebates and tax credit into consideration and filter unqualified contractors automatically.

At last, once you chose the right contractor, remember to use the tactics from this guide: homeowners tactics when negotiating with HVAC dealer to get the final best price.

Feel free to ask any question by leaving a comment, we will answer any question with actionable tips.

Written by Rene Langer

Rene has worked 10 years in the HVAC field and now is the Senior Comfort Specialist for PICKHVAC. He holds an HVAC associate degree from Lone Star College and EPA & R-410A Certifications.