Compare a full ducted conversion, a dual-fuel design, and ductless or mixed options using the home's actual load, ducts, electrical capacity, backup strategy and complete written scope.
Start with the building—not a package
Three project paths
These paths solve different building and homeowner constraints. None should be selected from square footage or fuel type alone.
Replace the furnace and existing cooling equipment with a matched heat-pump outdoor unit and air handler when the duct system, electrical service, drainage and equipment locations support the design.
Ask: Which exact indoor/outdoor match, low-temperature capacity and backup-heat strategy are proposed?
Keep or install a compatible furnace as backup and pair it with a heat pump, matched coil and controls. The proposal should state the switchover logic and which equipment runs under each condition.
Ask: What controls the balance point, and how will fuel and electric rates influence that setting?
Use ductless zones, or combine central and ductless equipment, where existing ducts cannot serve the heating load or particular rooms without disproportionate reconstruction.
Ask: Which rooms does each zone serve, where do line sets and drains run, and what existing heat remains?
Conversion assessment
A heat pump is not a drop-in furnace when airflow, electrical demand, controls or low-temperature capacity are ignored.
Document the design temperatures, room or zone loads, selected capacity and the equipment performance used at cold outdoor conditions.
Check supply and return capacity, static pressure, leakage, filtration and whether existing ducts can deliver the required airflow without unacceptable noise.
Identify required circuits, disconnects, panel or service limitations, electric backup heat and responsibility for electrical work before equipment is ordered.
State whether the design is all-electric, dual-fuel or retains another heat source, and document thermostat, lockout and emergency-heat behavior.
Clarify furnace, vent, chimney, fuel-line or oil-tank work; condensate, penetrations and restoration; and which items require another qualified trade.
Assign permit, inspection, closeout and incentive-document responsibilities. Do not subtract a program amount until the customer, equipment and project are confirmed eligible.
Cost and savings analysis
A percentage-savings promise is not a substitute for comparing the home's current energy use with a defined heat-pump design. Ask for every assumption that drives the estimate.
The written proposal should show the complete installed price before any utility or manufacturer amount. Then list each possible incentive separately with the program, eligibility assumptions, responsible party and payment timing.
Current program reality
The 2026 Home Comfort announcement includes updated income tiers, sizing rules, equipment restrictions and caps. Current payment depends on the customer, participating contractor, equipment, sizing, installation and documentation. Program terms can change.
Use this list to normalize bids. A lower equipment price may not include the same ducts, electrical work, removal, program work, permits or coverage.
Review financing separately from project priceProject sequence
Review the furnace, cooling system, ducts, electrical service, fuel equipment, drainage, building conditions and the homeowner's comfort goals.
Evaluate full-conversion, dual-fuel and ductless or mixed designs where relevant. Compare the complete installed scope rather than equipment price alone.
Use actual utility history and written rate, load, performance and backup assumptions. Keep unconfirmed rebates outside the base project price.
Confirm equipment, responsibilities, exclusions, price, program assumptions, schedule and coverage terms before ordering or removing the existing heat source.
Complete the authorized work, verify airflow and controls, review operation, and retain startup records, permits, manuals, registrations and program documents.
These local pages have reviewed service and city content. Address coverage and appointment timing are still confirmed by dispatch.
Often, when the home has a practical equipment location and the ducts, electrical service, drainage and controls can support the selected system. The design still needs a heating and cooling load calculation plus equipment performance at relevant outdoor temperatures. Existing furnace size is not a reliable heat-pump sizing rule.
That decision depends on the home's load, selected heat-pump capacity, ductwork, electrical limits, fuel and electric rates, comfort priorities and the homeowner's tolerance for backup strategies. Compare an all-electric design and a compatible dual-fuel design on the same written scope before deciding.
A responsible price requires a site assessment. Equipment capacity and efficiency, duct modifications, electrical work, backup heat, controls, removal, fuel or venting work, drainage, permits, access and restoration all affect the total. Ask for the base project price before any unconfirmed incentive is subtracted.
PSEG Long Island publishes a 2026 Home Comfort program, but eligibility depends on the current program, customer, contractor, equipment, sizing, installation and documentation rules. Payment also remains subject to the program's approval and terms. Confirm the address, selected system and estimated amount in writing before purchase.
No. Current IRS Form 5695 instructions state that the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit cannot be claimed for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Home+ does not subtract that expired federal credit from a 2026 proposal.
There is no universal duration. Equipment availability, duct and electrical work, removal scope, permits, inspections, fuel or tank work, restoration and other trades determine the sequence. The written proposal should state the anticipated schedule and identify dependencies before work begins.
Program rules and product criteria change. Review the current source and the exact proposed system.
Request an assessment or call to confirm current Nassau County coverage, scheduling and equipment capability.
