Virginia Electrical and HVAC Contractor License 2705181607
Heat Pump Systems in Northern Virginia
One system for heating and cooling, installed and wired by a team licensed for both, across Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William Counties.
If Your Thermostat Says EM HEAT, Go and Switch It Back Right Now
This is worth more to a heat pump owner than anything else on this page, and it takes ten seconds to check. AUX and EM are not the same thing. One of them is your system working normally. The other is your heat pump switched off entirely, with the house being heated by the most expensive method available.
AUX
Normal, automatic, and not your doing
The system asking for a hand
- Comes on by itself when the heat pump alone cannot keep up
- Also appears briefly during a defrost cycle, which is normal
- You cannot switch it off, and you should not want to
- Seeing it on the coldest mornings of the year is expected
- If it is on constantly in mild weather, that is worth a call
EM HEAT
A switch somebody pressed
The heat pump is now switched off entirely
- Manual. It only comes on because a person selected it
- It locks the compressor out and heats on electric resistance alone
- That is the most expensive way there is to heat a house
- It exists for when the heat pump has genuinely failed, and for nothing else
- Left on by accident, it will quietly cost you for as long as it runs
How this happens to people. Something feels off. The house is not warming as fast as expected, or the outdoor unit is doing something odd, or it is simply the coldest week of the year. The homeowner looks at the thermostat, finds a setting labelled EMERGENCY HEAT, and reasons that this sounds like the right thing to select when the heating is struggling. The house warms up. Nobody thinks about it again until the bill lands.
What to do instead. Put the mode back to HEAT. If the heat pump genuinely is not working, EM heat is exactly what it is there for, so use it and then ring us, rather than using it and forgetting. And if you are seeing AUX come and go on a cold morning, that is the system doing what it is designed to do. There is more on setting a thermostat for a heat pump on our thermostat page, including what the Department of Energy says about setbacks.
How a Heat Pump Works
In winter
It pulls heat out of the outside air, even when that air feels cold to you, and moves it indoors. Moving heat takes far less energy than making it, which is where the efficiency comes from.
In summer
The same equipment runs the other way and moves heat out of the house. One system, one outdoor unit, both jobs.
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A quick guide, not a formal quote. A licensed technician confirms the right system on site.
Why Homeowners Move to One
It moves heat rather than making it
That is the whole idea, and it is why a heat pump can deliver more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes. No combustion appliance can do that.
One system for both seasons
No separate furnace to maintain, no second piece of equipment to replace on its own schedule.
Variable speed and quiet with it
Modern inverter units hold a temperature rather than cycling hard, which is both more comfortable and quieter.
All electric
No gas line, no combustion in the house, and no flue. Which also means no carbon monoxide from your heating.
Two Types of Heat Pump
Air source
The common type. Exchanges heat with the outside air, fits most Northern Virginia homes, and installs in a day or two.
Ground source, or geothermal
Exchanges heat with the ground, which is a far more stable temperature, so it is more efficient. It also needs a loop field, which is why it costs considerably more to install.
Do They Work in Cold Northern Virginia Winters?
Yes, and better than they used to. Modern units pull usable heat from air that feels cold to you, and Northern Virginia winters are well inside what current equipment handles. On the coldest mornings the backup heat gives it a hand automatically, which is the AUX above and is entirely normal. What matters for your bill is how often that happens, which comes down to sizing, commissioning and the changeover settings rather than to the badge on the box.
Why Have Us Install It
Master Electricians on the electrical side
Under Virginia contractor license 2705181607. A heat pump is a substantial electrical load with a disconnect, a dedicated circuit and usually a strip heat package. That is not an afterthought on this job.
The panel checked before anything is quoted
Switching from gas heat to a heat pump adds load. Whether your panel can take it is a question to answer first, not later. See panel repair and upgrades.
Commissioned rather than just connected
Charge, airflow and the changeover settings all matter more on a heat pump than on a furnace, because they decide how often the expensive backup runs.
Straight about whether it suits your house
Heat pumps are not the answer everywhere. If your house or your ductwork makes one a poor fit, you will hear that from us.
Utility rebates change regularly and are worth checking with your own utility and the Virginia Department of Energy. On the federal side, the 25C energy efficiency tax credit ended on December 31, 2025, so a 2026 installation does not qualify for it. Financing is available on request, and the veteran discount program applies.
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Tell us what you are heating with now and roughly how old the system is. Or call 703.225.8222.
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Heat Pump Questions, Answered
What is a heat pump and how does it work?
A heat pump heats and cools your home using electricity, moving heat rather than generating it. In winter it pulls heat from the outside air and brings it indoors. In summer it removes heat from inside to cool your home. It is like having a heater and an air conditioner in one.
Will a heat pump save me money?
Often, and it depends on what you are replacing. Against electric resistance heat the saving is usually large, because a heat pump moves heat rather than generating it. Against an efficient gas furnace it depends on your electricity and gas rates, and the honest answer is that we would want to look at your bills rather than promise you a number. What is not in doubt is that one system doing both jobs means one system to maintain and replace.
Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
Newer heat pumps work well even in the cold, pulling heat from the outside air on chilly days. Many include an emergency heat supply for extremely cold weather to keep your home warm.
What types of heat pumps are available?
Two main types. Air source heat pumps transfer heat between your home and the outside air and are the most common. Ground source, or geothermal, heat pumps transfer heat to the ground, are even more efficient, but cost more to install. The right one depends on your home, location, and budget.
How do I know if a heat pump is right for me?
It comes down to your climate, your existing systems, your insulation, and your energy costs. The best way to know is to have an HVAC expert assess your home. We are happy to come out and give you honest guidance.
Are there rebates or tax credits for a heat pump?
Utility rebates, often yes, and they are worth checking with your own utility and the Virginia Department of Energy because the programmes change regularly. The federal picture has changed: the 25C energy efficiency tax credit ended on December 31, 2025, so an installation in 2026 does not qualify for it. We would rather tell you that than let you budget around a credit that is no longer there.
Why have a Master Electrician install your heat pump?
A heat pump is an all electric system, so the electrical work is central, not an afterthought. The circuit, the breaker, and sometimes a panel upgrade all have to be sized correctly. Because we are licensed Master Electricians and HVAC technicians, we do both in house for a cleaner, safer, properly powered install, instead of subcontracting the electrical.
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Heat pump supply, installation, repair and maintenance across Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William Counties, with the electrical side handled by the same licensed team.
Call 703.225.8222Get a Free EstimateLicensed in Virginia. Electrical and HVAC Contractor License 2705181607.