Heat Pump Installation in Myrtle Beach, SC

When it comes to year-round comfort along the South Carolina coast, few HVAC solutions deliver the versatility and efficiency of a modern heat pump system. At Conway Air Conditioning, we have been providing trusted HVAC services in Myrtle Beach, SC and surrounding areas since the 1950s, making us one of the oldest heating and air conditioning businesses in the region. Our deep experience with Horry County’s unique climate conditions positions us to recommend, design, and install heat pump systems that perform reliably through humid summers and mild winters alike. As a family owned and operated company, we take personal pride in every installation we complete.

Why Heat Pumps Are Ideal for the Myrtle Beach Climate

Myrtle Beach sits squarely in a climate zone where heat pumps operate at peak efficiency. Unlike northern regions where temperatures regularly plunge below freezing, the coastal Lowcountry experiences moderate winters with average lows rarely dropping below the mid-thirties. This is significant because heat pumps extract thermal energy from outdoor air to warm your home, and they work most efficiently when outdoor temperatures stay above 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat pumps can reduce electricity consumption for heating by roughly 50 percent compared to traditional electric resistance heating systems like furnaces and baseboard heaters.

During summer months, a heat pump functions exactly like a central air conditioning system, reversing the refrigeration cycle to pull heat out of your home and release it outdoors. This dual functionality means you get both heating and cooling from a single system, eliminating the need to maintain separate furnace and air conditioning units. For homeowners in Myrtle Beach, where cooling demands dominate eight or more months of the year, this translates into substantial savings on both equipment costs and long-term energy bills. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER2) ratings on modern heat pumps now reach 20 and above, representing dramatic improvements over systems manufactured even a decade ago.

Our Heat Pump Installation Process

Every successful heat pump installation begins long before equipment arrives at your property. Our NATE Certified Technicians start with a comprehensive home assessment that evaluates your existing ductwork, electrical infrastructure, insulation levels, and square footage. Being BPI (Building Performance Institute) certified allows us to analyze your home as a complete system rather than focusing narrowly on just the HVAC equipment. This whole-house perspective ensures that your new heat pump operates within an environment designed to maximize its performance and longevity.

Following the initial assessment, we perform a Manual J load calculation, which is the industry-standard method for determining exactly how much heating and cooling capacity your home requires. This calculation factors in window placement and glazing type, ceiling height, insulation R-values, home orientation relative to the sun, and the number of occupants. Oversizing a heat pump is just as problematic as undersizing one. An oversized unit short-cycles, turning on and off frequently without completing full dehumidification cycles, which is particularly troublesome in the moisture-heavy Myrtle Beach air. An undersized unit runs continuously without adequately conditioning the space, driving up energy costs and accelerating component wear.

On installation day, our team handles every aspect of the project, including setting the outdoor condensing unit on a level pad with proper clearance for airflow, connecting refrigerant lines with precise brazing techniques, installing the indoor air handler or coil assembly, making electrical connections to meet all local code requirements, and configuring the thermostat for optimal heat pump operation. We pressure-test all refrigerant lines to verify there are no leaks before charging the system with the exact amount of refrigerant specified by the manufacturer. As a Factory Authorized Dealer, we install equipment according to precise manufacturer specifications, which protects your warranty coverage and ensures the system delivers its rated efficiency.

Types of Heat Pump Systems We Install

The heat pump market has expanded considerably, and today’s homeowners have more options than ever. We install a full range of heat pump configurations to match diverse home layouts and comfort preferences across the Myrtle Beach area.

1. Split-system air-source heat pumps remain the most popular choice for homes with existing ductwork. These systems pair an outdoor unit with an indoor air handler connected through refrigerant lines, delivering whole-home heating and cooling through your duct network.
2. Ductless mini-split heat pumps provide targeted zone control for homes without ductwork, room additions, garages, and sunrooms. Each indoor head operates independently, allowing different temperature settings in different rooms while eliminating the energy losses associated with duct systems.
3. Dual-fuel hybrid heat pumps combine an electric heat pump with a gas furnace backup, automatically switching between fuel sources based on outdoor temperature and energy costs to optimize efficiency during the coldest days of winter.

Energy Efficiency and Long-Term Value

Modern heat pump technology has reached remarkable efficiency levels that directly impact your monthly utility bills. Current federal minimum efficiency standards require heat pumps to achieve a SEER2 rating of 15 for cooling performance, but many premium models exceed SEER2 ratings of 18 to 22. On the heating side, the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2) measures winter efficiency, with top-tier models reaching HSPF2 values of 10 or higher. Variable-speed compressor technology, which adjusts output incrementally rather than simply cycling on and off, is driving much of this efficiency improvement.

Beyond monthly savings, investing in a high-efficiency heat pump installation may qualify you for federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides incentives for energy-efficient home improvements. Many utility companies in South Carolina also offer rebates for qualifying equipment upgrades. Our team stays current on available incentive programs and can help you understand which credits and rebates apply to your specific installation. As a President Award winner, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of service and technical excellence, ensuring your investment delivers maximum returns over the system’s lifespan, which typically ranges from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance.

What to Expect After Installation

Once your new heat pump is installed and commissioned, we walk you through the operation of your thermostat settings, explain optimal temperature programming strategies, and review the filter replacement schedule that keeps your system running efficiently. Heat pumps perform best when set to a consistent temperature rather than being adjusted dramatically throughout the day. The supplemental or emergency heat strips built into most systems consume significantly more electricity, so understanding when and why they activate helps you manage energy consumption effectively.

We also recommend establishing a regular maintenance routine that includes professional service visits at least twice annually, ideally before the cooling season begins and again before heating season. During these visits, our technicians inspect refrigerant levels, clean coils, check electrical connections, verify thermostat calibration, and assess overall system performance. Consistent preventive maintenance protects your equipment investment, maintains manufacturer warranty validity, and keeps efficiency levels close to what they were on installation day.

• Improved indoor air quality through consistent airflow and modern filtration options
• Reduced carbon footprint compared to combustion-based heating systems
• Quieter operation with variable-speed compressor and fan motor technology
• Enhanced humidity control critical for coastal South Carolina living

Serving Horry County with Decades of Experience

Choosing the right contractor for your heat pump installation is just as important as choosing the right equipment. At Conway Air Conditioning, our decades of service throughout Horry County since the 1950s have given us unmatched knowledge of local building practices, climate patterns, and the specific challenges that coastal homes face. Salt air corrosion, high humidity loads, and sandy soil conditions all influence how we approach every installation. We serve homeowners across Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Forestbrook, Red Hill, and Socastee with the same commitment to quality workmanship and honest communication that has defined our family owned and operated business for generations. When you are ready to explore heat pump installation for your home, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.