Lennox Heat Pumps for Chicago-Area Homes
As a Lennox Premier Dealer based in Streamwood, we install Lennox heat pumps from single-stage models like the ML14KP1 to variable-capacity models like the SL22KLV, with backup heat planned for Illinois winters and sizing based on a load calculation. See our heat pump installation page for pricing and how the install works.
Pure Comfort installs Lennox heat pumps as a Lennox Premier Dealer serving Streamwood and the Northwest Suburbs.
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How a Heat Pump Provides Heating and Cooling
During cooling, a heat pump transfers heat from inside the home to the outdoors. In heating mode, it reverses operation and extracts available heat from outdoor air to bring indoors.
Because the same refrigeration system operates through more of the year, equipment selection and installation must account for both the cooling and heating loads. Indoor equipment, airflow, controls and backup heat also need to work together.
Common Residential Heat Pump Configurations
- Ducted Air-Source Heat PumpsA central outdoor heat pump connects to an indoor air handler or compatible furnace and distributes conditioned air through ductwork.
- Dual-Fuel SystemsA heat pump may be paired with a compatible gas furnace. Controls determine when the system changes between electric heat-pump operation and furnace heating.
- Ductless Mini-Split Heat PumpsDuctless systems connect an outdoor unit to one or more indoor units and can serve individual rooms or zones without traditional ductwork.
- Cold-Climate CapabilitiesSome heat pumps are designed to maintain more heating capacity at lower outdoor temperatures. Actual performance and backup requirements vary by system and application.
Lennox Heat Pump Lineup: Good, Better, Best
We install the full Lennox heat pump line, including cold-climate models built for Illinois winters. Many of our customers pair a heat pump with a gas furnace (dual fuel) so the furnace takes over on the coldest days. Here's how the Lennox lineup compares. Click any model to see its full specs on lennox.com.
Merit Series
Affordable heating and cooling in one unit. A solid choice for dual-fuel setups with a gas furnace backup.
- 14.3 to 17.5 SEER2
- Single-stage, two-stage or variable
- Slim-design option for tight spaces
Elite Series
The best fit for most Chicagoland homes. Cold-climate models keep heating efficiently well below freezing.
- 17 to 21 SEER2
- Variable-capacity on most models
- Cold-climate options
Dave Lennox Signature Collection
Lennox's most precise and efficient heat pump, with their most advanced cold-climate technology.
- Up to 21.1 SEER2 and 10.5 HSPF2
- Variable-capacity
- As low as 58 dB
Compare every Lennox heat pump
| Model | Cooling | Heating | Stages | Good for | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merit Series · Good | |||||
| ML14KP1 | Up to 14.3 SEER2 | Up to 7.5 HSPF2 | Single-stage | Budget dual-fuel pairing | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML15KSPV | Up to 17 SEER2 | Up to 9 HSPF2 | Variable-capacity | Slim design, tight side yards | Lennox.com ↗ |
| ML16KP2 | Up to 17.5 SEER2 | Up to 8.2 HSPF2 | Two-stage | Value pick with better comfort | Lennox.com ↗ |
| Elite Series · Better | |||||
| EL16KP1 | Up to 17 SEER2 | — | Single-stage | Efficient single-stage choice | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL18KSLV | Up to 19 SEER2 | Up to 10 HSPF2 | Variable-capacity | Slim cold-climate heat pump | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL19KPV | Up to 19.5 SEER2 | Up to 9 HSPF2 | Variable-capacity | Even comfort, lower bills | Lennox.com ↗ |
| EL21KLV | Up to 21 SEER2 | Up to 10 HSPF2 | Variable-capacity | High efficiency for cold winters | Lennox.com ↗ |
| Dave Lennox Signature Collection · Best | |||||
| SL22KLV | Up to 21.1 SEER2 | Up to 10.5 HSPF2 | Variable-capacity | The best heat pump Lennox makes | Lennox.com ↗ |
Specs are Lennox maximum ratings from lennox.com as of October 2026. Actual efficiency depends on the matched indoor equipment and your home. As a Lennox Premier Dealer, we'll recommend the right model after a free in-home load calculation.
When a Heat Pump May Be Worth Considering
Heat pumps may appeal to homeowners replacing an air conditioner, looking for electric heating and cooling, considering a dual-fuel system or adding comfort to a space without practical ductwork.
The right application depends on utility setup, home load, duct capacity, outdoor design conditions and expectations during very cold weather. A heat pump should be selected for the complete year, not just its cooling performance.
Features to Compare
Judge It by January, Not July
Choosing a Heat Pump for Illinois Conditions
A heat pump must be evaluated at the temperatures the home is likely to experience, not only under mild conditions. Pure Comfort considers the home’s heating load, the equipment’s available capacity as outdoor temperatures fall and how supplemental or furnace heat will be controlled.
Cooling load, humidity control, ductwork and electrical requirements also matter. The goal is a system that performs as a coordinated heating and cooling solution.
Installation and Commissioning
Heat pump installation involves the outdoor unit, compatible indoor coil or air handler, refrigerant piping, electrical service, drainage, controls and backup heat where applicable. Airflow and refrigerant setup affect performance in both heating and cooling modes.
Pure Comfort pressure-tests the refrigerant circuit, verifies a deep vacuum, configures the blower and controls, and tests available operating modes. Defrost and auxiliary-heat operation are checked according to the installed system.
Why Choose Pure Comfort for Heat Pump Guidance
Heat pump installation is a top company priority
Evaluates heating and cooling loads, not one season alone
Reviews ductwork, airflow, electrical needs and backup heat
In-house crews with documented refrigeration and commissioning checks
Related Services and Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a heat pump heat a home during an Illinois winter?
Modern systems can provide useful heating at low outdoor temperatures, but capacity varies by equipment and conditions. The home’s heating load and backup-heat strategy should be evaluated before selection.
What is a dual-fuel heat pump system?
It combines an electric heat pump with a compatible gas furnace. Controls switch between the two heat sources according to the system design and operating conditions.
Does a heat pump replace an air conditioner?
A central heat pump provides cooling like an air conditioner and also operates in reverse for heating. The indoor equipment and controls must be compatible with both modes.
Should a heat pump be sized for heating or cooling?
Both loads should be considered along with low-temperature capacity, humidity control and backup heat. Oversizing to cover one condition can create problems in another, so the complete application must be evaluated.
Rebates you may qualify for
2026 utility programs for Northern Illinois homes. Amounts checked October 2026.
| Program | Equipment | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| ComEd | Ducted heat pump, Tier 1 (15.2+ SEER2, 8.1+ HSPF2) | Up to $900 / $1,400* |
| ComEd | Ducted heat pump, Tier 2 (17+ SEER2, 8.5+ HSPF2) | Up to $1,500 / $2,000* |
| ComEd | ENERGY STAR smart thermostat with a heat pump | +$75 |
* Under / over 2.5 tons heating capacity. The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Illinois income-qualified HEAR heat pump rebates (up to $8,000) are not available yet as of October 2026, and projects finished before the program opens will not qualify. We confirm the current status on your written quote. ComEd discounts come off your invoice when a ComEd heat pump-trained contractor installs qualifying equipment. Nicor Gas rebates require qualifying equipment and Nicor’s rebate application. Programs can change, so we confirm what your home qualifies for on your written quote. Programs and amounts can change, so confirm current details on the utility sites before you buy. Official details: Nicor Gas rebates · ComEd heat pump discounts.
Licensed, certified and accredited
- Lennox Premier Dealer
- NATE-certified technicians
- EPA Section 608 certified
- BBB Accredited Business
- Licensed business in the Village of Streamwood
- Registered Illinois LLC
- Fully insured