Heat pump repair and installation, including the new R-454B systems
A heat pump is the most efficient way to heat and cool a Central Valley home, and the newest models use R-454B refrigerant, which legally requires a certified technician to handle. Ours are.
A heat pump moves heat rather than making it, so one outdoor unit both heats and cools your home, using a fraction of the electricity a furnace and air conditioner would need. Heat pump services cover repair, installation, refrigerant handling and seasonal maintenance. RB HVAC Inc. services and installs heat pumps across Stockton, Sacramento and Modesto, including the newer A2L and R-454B refrigerant systems that legally require a certified technician to handle, and we help you work out which rebates your installation qualifies for.
Everything this service includes
Heat pump repair
Systems that run but do not heat, freeze up, short cycle, or trip a breaker.
Heat pump installation
New high-efficiency heat pumps sized with a Manual J load calculation for your home.
A2L and R-454B refrigerants
Our technicians are certified and licensed to service the newer A2L refrigerant systems.
Reversing valve and mode control
A heat pump that cools but will not switch to heating is usually a mode control fault.
Defrost and freeze protection
Ice on the outdoor coil in the morning is a defrost cycle, or a refrigerant fault if it does not clear.
Efficiency and rebate help
We help you get approved for California TECH Clean California rebates and handle the paperwork.
How the job runs
The same four steps whether it is a repair, a replacement or a seasonal tune-up.
A heat pump has two systems in one. We test cooling and heating separately so we do not replace a unit that only needs a valve.
If it is a repair, you get the price of the repair in writing. If it is a replacement, you get the system options and the rebate position.
Handling A2L refrigerant requires certification. Our technicians hold it, and the work is done to EPA rules.
We test every mode, hand over the warranty and rebate paperwork, and show you how to read the efficiency.
Heat pump faults and their usual causes
Figures are our own and are current as of this year. Final pricing depends on your system, your home and the work involved.
| Issue | Usual cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Cools but will not heat | Failed reversing valve, or a control fault | Test the valve and the mode control, replace the failed part |
| Heats but will not cool | Reversing valve stuck, or a lost refrigerant charge | Recover and recharge with the correct refrigerant, replace the valve if it is seized |
| Ice on the outdoor unit | Defrost cycle not initiating, or a low charge | Test the defrost controls and the charge, clear the ice and correct the fault |
| Runs constantly and never gets comfortable | Undersized system, or a thermostat set in emergency heat | Check the load calculation and the thermostat mode, then size correctly |
| Water pooling under the outdoor unit | Frozen coil thawing, or a blocked condensate line | Clear the drain, correct the defrost fault so the ice does not come back |
| Short cycling | Low airflow, or a reversing valve leaking internally | Check airflow and the valve, then recharge correctly |
Last reviewed October 2026 by RB HVAC Inc., California HVAC license #1094161.
Common questions
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it, so it uses a fraction of the electricity a resistive heater or a furnace would need for the same warmth, and it cools at the same time. In a climate where you need both, it is usually the most efficient way to condition a home. We will size it properly with a Manual J calculation so you are not oversizing it.
The industry moved from R-410A to the A2L family of refrigerants, including R-454B, because of the 2024 AIM Act phase-down. A2L is mildly flammable, so the law requires certification to handle it. If a technician tells you the new refrigerant does not matter, that is not a good sign.
No. R-454B is not a drop-in replacement for R-410A, and mixing them is not permitted. A system designed for R-410A stays on R-410A.
A ducted heat pump needs the ductwork you already have, and it needs to be in good condition to move the air. If the ductwork is the problem, we will say so rather than sell you a heat pump that cannot perform.
Heat pumps are among the better candidates for California TECH Clean California rebates, which can run into thousands of dollars depending on the model and the program. We help you get approved and we do the paperwork. We are not an SMUD or PG&E partner, so we will not claim a utility endorsement we do not have.
Yes. Heat pump repair, installation, refrigerant handling, defrost fault diagnosis and seasonal maintenance.
Services we also handle
Installation & replacement
Full system sizing and installation, with the rebate paperwork handled.
Installation & replacement
HVAC repair
AC, furnace and mini-split repair for every major brand.
HVAC repair
Commercial HVAC
Heat pumps for offices, retail and schools, including VRF zoning.
Commercial servicesHeat pump services across the Central Valley
Same-day service and 24/7 emergency cover across Stockton, Sacramento, Modesto and the Central Valley.
Get upfront written pricing
We diagnose, quote in writing, and you approve the price before we start. 4.9 on Google across 215+ reviews.