How often should I change my heat pump air filter?

A dirty air filter is the number one cause of heat pump problems and high electric bills. Restricted airflow forces your system to work harder, reduces efficiency, and can cause the compressor to fail prematurely. Check your filter monthly and replace it every 1-3 months depending on your home. This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your investment.

Why does my heat pump use so much electricity when I turn the thermostat up?

Heat pumps are designed to maintain a steady temperature, not recover quickly from large swings. When you turn the thermostat up several degrees at once, the system triggers auxiliary or emergency heat — which is expensive electric resistance heat — to make up the difference fast. Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and leave it there. Even a 2-degree setback is enough to engage aux heat on a cold day and spike your bill.

Why is my electric bill high in winter even with a high-efficiency heat pump?

Even the most efficient heat pump works harder as outdoor temperatures drop, and auxiliary heat kicks in during the coldest days to maintain comfort. This is normal and expected. A higher winter electric bill does not mean something is wrong with your system — it means it is doing its job. What you should compare is your total heating cost against what you would have paid with oil, propane, or straight electric resistance heat. In most cases the heat pump still wins significantly.

Heat Pump Installation in State College, PA

Whether you're replacing a worn-out furnace and AC system or adding efficient heat pump comfort to a home that’s never had it, JBN Mechanical installs and services air-source heat pumps, variable-speed inverter systems, dual-fuel systems, geothermal heat pumps, and ductless mini-split systems throughout State College, Boalsburg, Park Forest, Port Matilda, Bellefonte, and the rest of Centre County.

We’re a fully licensed, locally owned HVAC contractor — not a franchise and not a private-equity rollup — so you work directly with owner John Mason from the initial consultation through installation and warranty support.

Every system is designed around long-term comfort, efficiency, airflow, and reliability rather than sales quotas or one-size-fits-all equipment packages.

Heat pumps are what we do most. Since 2013, JBN Mechanical has installed more than 250 inverter-driven heat pump systems across Central Pennsylvania, specializing in properly designed cold-climate systems that continue producing reliable heat during Centre County winters. We focus heavily on system sizing, airflow, and duct performance, designing systems for quieter operation, better comfort, improved efficiency, and longer equipment life.

For homeowners who want additional cold-weather backup, we also specialize in dual-fuel heat pump systems using either natural gas or LP gas backup heat. These systems allow homeowners to maximize heat pump efficiency while maintaining dependable comfort during the coldest Pennsylvania temperatures.

American Standard has recognized JBN Mechanical multiple times for high-efficiency heat pump installation and variable-speed system expertise, including:

2020 Variable Speed Champion
2023 Heat Pump Sales Champion
2025 Variable Speed Champion

These awards recognized JBN Mechanical as a top Central Pennsylvania dealer for the highest-efficiency variable-speed heat pump equipment American Standard manufactures.

That’s the type of equipment we recommend for Centre County homes: properly sized, inverter-driven heat pump systems designed specifically for Pennsylvania winters — not oversized builder-grade equipment.

Unlike larger HVAC chains, all warranty work and post-installation support are handled directly by owner John Mason, giving homeowners direct access to the same experienced technician who designed and installed the system.

Why Homeowners in Centre County are Switching to Heat Pumps

A modern heat pump is two systems in one — it heats your house in the winter and cools it in the summer using the same outdoor unit. For a home that currently runs an older furnace plus a separate AC, replacing both with a single heat pump (or a heat pump + small backup) typically delivers:

30–60% lower heating costs versus electric resistance or oil heat
Up to 40% lower bills with geothermal (real numbers from our local installs)
Even, quiet temperatures — no more cold blasts or short-cycling
Full A/C performance built in — no separate condenser to maintain

Do Heat Pumps Work in State College Winters?

Yes. The air-source heat pumps we install in 2026 are not the same equipment your neighbor put in 15 years ago. The Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat ductless system delivers up to 100% of its rated heating capacity at 5°F outdoor temperature, and American Standard's variable-speed inverter heat pumps continue producing heat into the teens. For the handful of nights a year State College drops into the low single digits, we pair the heat pump with a small backup heat source — either a high-efficiency gas furnace (a “dual-fuel” setup) or supplemental electric strip heat — so your home stays warm no matter what.

If your current heating system is electric baseboard, oil, or propane, switching to a heat pump almost always cuts your heating bill. If you're on natural gas, a dual-fuel setup gives you the best of both worlds: heat pump efficiency for 80% of the heating season, gas furnace performance during the coldest stretches.

Heat Pump Replacement Cost in State College

A typical residential heat pump replacement in Centre County runs between $8,000 and $18,000 installed, depending on:

System size (tonnage) — sized to your home's heat loss, not square footage
Single-stage vs. two-stage vs. variable-speed inverter (variable-speed costs more upfront, saves more long-term)
SEER2 / HSPF2 efficiency rating
Whether existing ductwork can be reused or needs modification
Whether you're going air-source, ductless mini-split, or geothermal (geothermal is higher upfront, lowest operating cost)

Geothermal heat pumps run higher — typically $20,000–$35,000 installed — but they cut your operating cost the most. Customers we've installed geothermal for in Centre County report 40% savings on their energy bills. Replacement of existing geothermal systems is much cheaper because we can reuse your existing well!

Every quote we give is itemized and free. We won't pressure you into oversized equipment, and we'll tell you honestly when a repair makes more sense than a replacement.

PA Heat Pump Rebates and Incentives

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Heat Pump vs. Gas Furnace - Quick Comparison

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What's Included in a JBN Mechanical Heat Pump Installation?

Honest equipment recommendation matched to your home, not the highest-margin SKU
Refrigerant lines, condensate handling, and electrical brought to current code
Old equipment removal and disposal
Full system commissioning — we measure airflow, charge, and supply temps before we leave
Direct line to the owner — not a 1-800 dispatch — if anything ever needs follow-up

Why Homeowners Trust JBN with their Heat Pump

American Standard tracks every dealer in their network on heat pump sales volume, customer satisfaction, and technical proficiency. They've recognized us six times in the past eight years, including three awards specific to heat pumps:

2025 Variable Speed Champion — top dealer of inverter-driven variable-speed heat pumps in Central Pennsylvania
2023 Heat Pump Sales Champion — top heat pump installation volume in the region
2020 Variable Speed Champion — first time winning the variable-speed category
2018 and 2021 Dealer of the Year — back-to-back top-overall recognition
2017 Outstanding New Dealer — first-year recognition for performance in our service area

Before starting JBN, owner John Mason managed Penn State's mechanical, electrical, and architectural minor project managers, and was elected President of the Penn State University Staff Advisory Council in his first year on the council. JBN is owner-operated. Across the country the HVAC industry has been getting rolled up by private-equity firms that turn local shops into commission-driven sales operations — that is not us. You talk to John on the quote, on the install, and on the follow-up call, and the system we recommend is the one your home actually needs.

Brands We Install

American Standard variable-speed and standard-efficiency air-source heat pumps.
Mitsubishi Hyper-Heat ductless mini-split systems.
ClimateMaster geothermal heat pumps.
We're not a single-brand dealer — we recommend the system that's right for your home and budget.

Service Area

State College, Boalsburg, Park Forest, Port Matilda, Bellefonte, Pleasant Gap, Centre Hall, Spring Mills, Pine Grove Mills, Lemont, Houserville.

Get a Free Heat Pump Quote

Call (814) 240-2455 or use our online repair-request form. We respond same-day during business hours, and we offer 24/7 emergency service if your existing system has failed. Most replacement quotes are scheduled within a week.