Equipment
- Bryant 37MUHAQ36AA3 heat pump (18 SEER2 / 9.8 HSPF2, R-454B refrigerant)
- Bryant 45MUHAQ36XX3 modular air handler
- Ecobee smart thermostat
- New condenser pad + line-set covers
- Rebuilt duct connections and return line
- New disconnect box + surge protector + plenum
The starting situation
A Pleasanton homeowner on Castledown Road was running an aging split-AC plus gas furnace and was tired of two-equipment maintenance, two seasonal failures, and a heating bill that ratcheted up every January. They came in already knowing they wanted a single heat-pump system to replace both. We talked them through the brand and SEER tier options and they picked the Bryant 18 SEER2 / 9.8 HSPF2 platform, slim, quiet, and on the R-454B refrigerant line which is the current EPA-approved low-GWP standard going forward.
What we installed
- Bryant 37MUHAQ36AA3: 18 SEER2 / 9.8 HSPF2 outdoor heat pump unit, 3-ton (208/230V single-phase), R-454B refrigerant
- Bryant 45MUHAQ36XX3 modular indoor air handler (115/208/230V), matched to the condenser
- Ecobee smart thermostat with heat-pump-aware staging
- New condenser pad and line-set covers on the outdoor refrigerant runs
- Rebuilt duct connections and return-air run at the air handler
- New plenum, new disconnect box, new whip + fuses, new surge protector on the high-voltage side
- Old equipment removed and disposed of (including old refrigerant, properly recovered)
The detail that mattered
R-454B is the new-generation refrigerant the industry is moving to, replacing R-410A. It has roughly 1/3 the global-warming potential and meets the EPA AIM Act phasedown schedule. The catch: R-454B is mildly flammable (A2L class), which means the install has slightly different leak-detection and ventilation requirements than older R-410A work. Not a problem if your installer is trained for it, but absolutely a problem if they’re not. We’re certified for A2L refrigerant handling. If you’re getting bids on a heat pump in 2025-2026, ask explicitly whether your installer is A2L-certified, it’s the difference between an install that ages well and an install that’s a maintenance liability.
What the homeowner got
Single-system year-round comfort (no more separate AC and furnace), modern smart-thermostat control, qualifies for the federal IRA 25C heat-pump tax credit ($2,000 back at tax time). Equipment covered under our 10-year parts + 10-year labor warranty plus Bryant factory equipment warranty.
The photos below show the original outdoor unit, the disconnect and removal staging, the new refrigerant-line work, and the install in progress.
Before
After
