Serving the Grand Strand and the Lowcountry since 1947. SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694. NATE-certified and licensed technicians. Call 843-238-3838.
Heat Pump Repair and Replacement in Myrtle Beach and Charleston
Call 843-305-5728 for fast service
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843-305-5728
A heat pump is the heating and cooling system in one box that most coastal South Carolina homes run on. When it fails, the fault is usually in a part the cooling side never uses: the reversing valve that flips the system between heating and cooling, the defrost board that clears winter frost off the outdoor coil, or the backup heat strips in the air handler. Repairs on those parts commonly run $200 to $700.
A full replacement for a typical home usually lands between $7,500 and $15,000 installed. If your system is past twelve years, uses R-410A, and needs a compressor or a refrigerant leak repair, replacement is usually the better math.
Those are market ranges, not a quote. Every home is sized and priced on its own.
What is a heat pump, and how does it work?
We handle heat pump repair and replacement from Conway and Myrtle Beach down through Georgetown, and across the Charleston metro from Mount Pleasant to Summerville. Same technicians, same standard, whichever side of the service area you are on. We service any brand. Call 843-238-3838 for a free estimate.
Call 843-238-3838
Certified and Licensed | SC Mechanical Contractor #M111694
Is a ductless mini-split right for my home?
Short Answer: Often yes, if your home has no ductwork, you are adding a room, or one space never cools right. Ductless shines in older Lowcountry homes, additions and sunrooms, garages and workshops, bonus rooms over a garage, and beach cottages, and anywhere you want to cool a single space without touching the rest.
The strongest cases we see here: an older home that never had central air and where running ducts would be a major project; a sunroom, garage, or bonus room that the main system can never satisfy; an addition the existing system was not sized for; and second homes or beach cottages where zoned control saves money. If you are weighing a full system instead, our
AC installation and replacement page covers that side. We walk the home and tell you honestly which path fits, because treating folks right for the long term beats selling the bigger job.
Financing available | Serving the coast since 1947
Single-zone or multi-zone: how many indoor units do I need?
- Short Answer: One indoor head cools one open space or room (single-zone). For several rooms or a whole home, a multi-zone system runs multiple indoor heads off one outdoor unit, each with its own control. We size the number and capacity to your layout with a load calculation.
A single-zone setup, one outdoor unit and one indoor head, is perfect for a single room, a garage, or an addition. A multi-zone system puts several indoor heads on one outdoor unit, so you can condition a whole house or several problem rooms while still controlling each space on its own. We do not guess at this; we run a load calculation for each space so the system is sized right, because an oversized mini-split short-cycles and leaves a room humid just like an oversized central unit does.
Are ductless mini-splits energy efficient?
- Short Answer: Very. Modern mini-splits use inverter-driven, variable-speed compressors that ramp up and down instead of cycling hard on and off, so they hold a steady temperature and post high SEER2 ratings. With no ducts, you also avoid the energy a duct system loses to leaks.
Inverter technology is what makes ductless so efficient: the compressor varies its speed to match the load rather than slamming on and off, which saves power and keeps the room comfortable. Many mini-splits carry high SEER2 ratings, well above the 14.3 SEER2 Southeast minimum, and because there is no ductwork there is no duct loss, which in a leaky older home can be a real chunk of your bill. A high-efficiency system may also qualify for a utility rebate, and we will check your provider's current program for you.
Can you install a mini-split in a historic Lowcountry home?
- Short Answer: Yes, and ductless is often the best option for one. It cools a historic home without tearing into walls and ceilings to run ducts. On the Charleston peninsula and in Mount Pleasant's Old Village, we place the outdoor unit to satisfy the local historic-review rules.
Older and historic Lowcountry homes are exactly where ductless earns its keep, because you get central-style comfort without altering plaster, trim, or the structure to fit ducts. The one thing to plan is the outdoor unit:
downtown Charleston falls under the Board of Architectural Review and
Mount Pleasant's Old Village under its Historic District Preservation Commission, so visible equipment has to be sited and screened correctly. We handle that placement and the permit so the install is approved and fixed right the first time.
Do ductless systems hold up at the coast?
- Short Answer: Yes, with the right equipment and care. The outdoor unit still faces the same salt air that wears any coastal system, so on the islands we recommend coastal-rated equipment and regular rinsing. The indoor heads need their filters cleaned. We service ductless systems all over the Lowcountry.
On
Folly Beach,
Isle of Palms, and
Johns Island, the outdoor unit takes the same salt punishment as any condenser, so coastal-rated equipment and a regular freshwater rinse pay off. Inland, salt is barely a factor. Inside, each head has a washable filter that needs cleaning so airflow stays strong. We install, repair, and maintain ductless systems across Charleston County and the rest of the Lowcountry, and we will set up a maintenance plan that fits where you live.
What does heat pump repair cost in coastal South Carolina?
- Short Answer: Most heat pump repairs fall between $150 and $1,500 depending on the part. Electrical parts sit at the low end, the reversing valve and refrigerant work in the middle, and a compressor at the top.
These are 2026 market ranges for the region, not a Coastal Air Plus quote. Your price depends on the system, the part, and access.
Financing is available on new systems through
our financing options. Once a system is in, our
VIP Maintenance Club keeps the filters and coils clean and the warranty intact.
| Heat Pump Repair Near You | Typical market range |
|---|---|
| Service call and diagnostic | $95 - $169 |
| Capacitor or contactor | $120 - $250 |
| Thermostat replacement | $100 - $425 |
| Defrost control board | $200 - $500 |
| Reversing valve | $400 - $700 |
| Blower or condenser fan motor | $200 - $1,500 |
| Refrigerant leak repair and recharge | $450 - $1,500 |
| Compressor | $750 - $4,500 |
What does a new heat pump cost, and what rebates are available in 2026?
- Short Answer: A replacement heat pump for a typical home runs about $7,500 to $15,000 installed in 2026. South Carolina utility rebates of $300 to $650 are available depending on your electric provider and the efficiency of the system you choose..
Equipment prices moved up roughly 8 to 10 percent with the switch to the new A2L refrigerants, and that premium is now simply the market price rather than a surcharge anyone should be adding on top of a bid. Size, efficiency tier, and whether your ductwork or electrical panel needs work drive the rest of the spread. If the efficiency numbers on a proposal are not making sense, our guide to SEER2 ratings explained walks through what they actually mean for a South Carolina home, and we offer financing options so a replacement does not have to land all at once.
The federal side changed. The Section 25C energy efficient home improvement credit was terminated for installations after December 31, 2025, so a 2026 heat pump install does not qualify for it. South Carolina's HEAR and HOMES rebate programs are funded but have not opened for applications. The utility rebates below are the incentives that are actually live right now.
| Provider | Rebate | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Santee Cooper (Grand Strand) | $300 or $400 per installed split system | $300 at 15.2 SEER2 / 7.8 HSPF2, $400 at 16.2 SEER2 / 8.0 HSPF2. Must be installed by a Santee Cooper Trade Ally. Program year ends November 30, 2026. |
| Santee Cooper (mini-split) | $40 or $80 per half ton | $40 at 15.3 SEER2 / 7.8 HSPF2, $80 at 18.4 SEER2 / 8.7 HSPF2. |
| Dominion Energy SC (Lowcountry) | $400 to $500 | ENERGY STAR qualified replacement, currently 15.2 SEER2 minimum. Licensed mechanical contractor required. Apply within 90 days. |
| Dominion Energy SC | $650 | Replacing an all-electric furnace with an ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump. |
Ductless Mini-Split FAQ
Why do Lowcountry homeowners call Coastal Air Plus for ductless
We have worked this coast since 1947, and we treat a ductless job the same way we treat everything: size it right, install it clean, and tell you the truth about what your home needs. We install Mitsubishi systems, we service any brand, and we handle the permit and the historic-district placement so the job is done properly. If you ever need a repair, we are the same crew, and we cover the whole Lowcountry and up the coast on the Grand Strand in Horry County.
Creating Lasting Relationships is the point: put in the right system the right way and earn the next call.
Want a free ductless estimate? Request service or call (843) 723-3887.
Will the indoor units be loud or unattractive?
Modern indoor heads are quiet, often quieter than a refrigerator, because the noisy compressor is outside. They are slim and mount high on a wall or near the ceiling, and there are low-profile and ceiling-cassette styles if you want them less visible. We will show you the options that suit the room.
Can one outdoor unit run several rooms?
Yes. A multi-zone system connects multiple indoor heads to a single outdoor unit, and each head has its own control, so you set different temperatures in different rooms. We size the outdoor unit to the total load of the zones you want to run.
Do mini-splits heat in winter, or just cool?
They heat too. A ductless mini-split is a heat pump, so it both cools in summer and heats in our mild Lowcountry winters efficiently, which is part of why it works so well as the only system in an addition or a home with no ducts.
How much maintenance does a ductless system need?
Not much, but it matters. The washable filter in each indoor head should be cleaned regularly so airflow stays strong, and the outdoor unit needs its coil kept clear, plus a freshwater rinse near the coast. A maintenance plan covers this and protects the warranty.
Can a mini-split cool my whole house, or only one room?
Either. A single head handles one room or open space; a multi-zone system with several heads can condition a whole home. For an existing ducted home we will compare a whole-home mini-split against a conventional replacement and give you the honest tradeoffs.
Do you repair ductless systems you did not install?
Yes. We diagnose and repair ductless systems of any brand, starting with a service call to find the problem, then a clear estimate before any work. If a system is beyond a sensible repair we will tell you straight.
