Heat Pump Repair in Burlington, Vermont
A heat pump repair visit in Burlington, VT usually costs $220 to $1,050. Where you land depends on the part. A capacitor or defrost sensor sits at the low end, while a reversing valve or defrost control board pushes the bill toward the top.
Compare Free Quotes in Burlington
Burlington Weather and HVAC Load
NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals put Burlington at 6,960 heating degree days and 655 cooling degree days per year. Heating is the bigger job here, and furnaces and heat pumps in Burlington put in far more hours than the air conditioner. Count on roughly 145 nights below 32°F and 8 afternoons past 90°F in a typical year. Snowfall averages about 88 inches.
| Heating degree days / year | 6,960 |
|---|---|
| Cooling degree days / year | 655 |
| Nights at or below 32°F | 145 |
| Days above 90°F | 8 |
| Average low / high | 38.6°F / 56.6°F |
Burlington Housing Stock
Half the homes in Burlington were built before 1957 (Census ACS median), so the typical house is about 69 years old. Houses that old often still have duct runs sized for an old coal or oil furnace and 60- or 100-amp electrical panels. Both can add cost when new equipment goes in. Owners live in 39.8% of occupied homes, roughly 7,000 households. The median home value is $400,200, and median household income is $68,854. We use both figures to adjust labor and pricing for this page.
NOAA storm reports for Chittenden County show 4 hail days and 21 days with damaging thunderstorm winds over the six years from 2020 to 2025. The largest hail reported was 1.75 inches across. Storms here are more likely to cause power surges than coil damage, so a surge protector on the outdoor unit is worth the small cost.
Symptoms Worth a Service Call
- The system is stuck in heating or cooling
- Cool air coming out in heating mode
- Grinding or loud buzzing from the outdoor unit
- The backup heat runs nonstop
What Moves the Price
- Which part needs replacing: a reversing valve, defrost board or sensor
- Whether the parts warranty still covers it
- The diagnostic fee
- Emergency or after-hours service
- Finding and fixing a refrigerant leak, then recharging
For Burlington we raised the national figures about 23%, based on local income, home values and climate-based equipment sizing. Get at least three written quotes; real bids can land outside this range.
What the Quote Should Cover
- Checking refrigerant pressures
- A full test run
- Replacing the failed parts
- Diagnosis in both heating and cooling mode
- A defrost cycle test
Vermont Licensing and Efficiency Rules
Vermont falls in the DOE's North region. New split central air conditioners must meet at least 13.4 SEER2, and heat pumps sold anywhere in the U.S. need 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. Most repairs don't need a permit. Anyone who opens the refrigerant circuit does need EPA Section 608 certification, and in Vermont the company should carry a state license or registration. Ask for both.
Before You Hire
- Book maintenance twice a year, once before summer and once before winter.
- Light frost on the outdoor unit in winter is normal. A solid block of ice is not.
- Keep two feet clear around the outdoor unit, including snow.
Get Free Heat Pump Repair Quotes in Burlington
Tell us where you are and up to three licensed local pros will get in touch. You don't have to hire any of them.
Heat Pump Repair Questions from Burlington Homeowners
What does heat pump repair cost in Burlington?
Most bills land between $220 and $1,050, including the service call. A typical visit is about $680. Night and weekend calls cost more.
Why is my heat pump blowing cold air?
For a few minutes during a defrost cycle, that's normal. If it keeps going, the usual causes are a stuck reversing valve, low refrigerant or a thermostat set to the wrong mode.
Is it normal for a heat pump to freeze?
A thin layer of frost in winter is normal, and the defrost cycle should clear it. Heavy ice that stays usually means a defrost control or airflow problem.
Heat Pump Repair Near Burlington
- South Burlington $240 to $1,140
- Essex Junction $230 to $1,140
- Rutland $190 to $900
- Bennington $180 to $890
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates 2019-2023 and 2024 population estimates; NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station Burlington International Airport; NOAA Storm Events Database 2020-2025, Chittenden County. Prices are our estimates, not contractor quotes. Updated 2026.