Installing a heat pump yourself (DIY): the guide
Updated October 24, 2026
A DIY heat pump ships with refrigerant lines already charged and quick connectors. Installation becomes a handyperson job: mount, drill, connect. Here are the steps, the tools, and what is still best left to a pro.
What makes a heat pump DIY
- Pre-charged line sets of 16 or 25 ft: the refrigerant stays in the circuit, you never handle it.
- Quick connectors: no flaring, no brazing, no vacuum pump.
- Same performance as the standard version: same inverter compressor, same cold-weather capacity.
The steps
- Calculate the right size
Run a heat-loss calculation for the house or room: the size depends on your city’s design temperature, insulation and windows, not just square footage.
- Choose the locations
The indoor unit goes high on an exterior wall, clear on both sides. The outdoor unit sits on a wall bracket or ground stand, above the snow line and away from snow sliding off the roof.
- Mount the plate and drill the wall
Fix the mounting plate level, then drill the line-set hole with a slight downward slope to the outside so condensate drains. The diameter is given in the manual.
- Install the outdoor unit
Set it level on its bracket or stand, leaving the clearances in the manual for airflow and defrost drainage.
- Connect the pre-charged line set
Run the lines, drain and communication cable through the wall, then tighten the quick connectors. The refrigerant is already in the circuit: no vacuum pump, no recharge.
- Make the electrical connection
The outdoor unit needs a dedicated circuit at the panel. Depending on your province, this connection must be made by a licensed electrician.
- Start up and check
Open the valves as the manual describes, power up and test heating and cooling. Check that the drain flows.
Tools you need
- Drill and hole saw (diameter per the manual)
- Level, tape measure, stud finder
- Open-end or torque wrenches for the connectors
- Anchors for the outdoor bracket
- Tape and line-set cover for the finish
Kanartic DIY heat pumps
| Model | SEER | Lines | DIY price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZERO 9,000 BTU | 26.4 | 25 ft / 16 ft | $2,199 |
| ZERO 12,000 BTU | 25.0 | 25 ft / 16 ft | $2,349 |
| ZERO 18,000 BTU | 23.5 | 25 ft / 16 ft | $2,895 |
| ZERO 24,000 BTU | 23.0 | 25 ft / 16 ft | $3,399 |
| Z-PRO 18,000 · 2 zones | 23.0 | — | from $3,625 |
| Z-PRO 18,000 · 3 zones | 23.0 | — | from $3,975 |
| Z-PRO 27,000 · 2 zones | 23.0 | — | from $4,675 |
| Z-PRO 27,000 · 3 zones | 23.0 | — | from $4,775 |
| Z-PRO 36,000 · 2 zones | 23.1 | — | from $5,325 |
| Z-PRO 36,000 · 3 zones | 23.1 | — | from $5,475 |
| Z-PRO 36,000 · 4 zones | 23.1 | — | from $6,225 |
| Z-PRO 36,000 · 5 zones | 23.1 | — | from $6,625 |
What to leave to a pro
- The connection at the electrical panel, which most provinces require a licensed electrician to do.
- Drilling through a concrete foundation or brick wall, if you lack the tools.
- Installation on a roof or more than one storey high.
What about rebates?
Outside Quebec, most programs require installation by a contractor. In Quebec, Kanartic commissioning makes a DIY installation eligible for LogisVert. Province-by-province details are on our rebate pages.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be an HVAC technician to install a DIY heat pump?
No. The lines are pre-charged and connect with quick connectors: no refrigerant is handled. The electrical connection at the panel may still require an electrician depending on the province.
How long does installation take?
For a wall unit, plan on a day for a handy person comfortable with a drill, plus the electrical connection.
Does a DIY heat pump heat as well?
Yes: same compressor and capacity as the standard version. Kanartic models are built for cold climates and keep heating below −30 °C.
Keep reading
Heat pump cost in CanadaCold-climate heat pumpsHeat pump vs baseboard heatersRebates by province