Heat pumps have gained tremendous popularity in Canada in the 2020s, and there are a lot of myths floating around, so we’ve written this article to help dispel misinformation and set the record straight by answering the questions we commonly get asked.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a mechanical appliance designed to heat and cool your home. There are many different types of heat pumps, but here we’ll focus on the two most popular types for homeowners in Canada:
1. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)
ASHPs come in two different types. The first is a centrally ducted heat pump designed to heat and cool your entire home through your existing ductwork. The outdoor unit looks a lot like a central air conditioner – and it functions like it, too. One of the more obvious ways to note the difference visually is that a heat pump cannot typically be installed on a patio stone on the ground like an air conditioner. It must be elevated to allow the condensate to escape, so it’s often placed on a stand or affixed to rails that are securely drilled into the exterior of the home’s foundation.
2. Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geothermal Systems)
GSHPs, more commonly known as geothermal systems, work similarly to their air source brethren, but they tap into the water in the ground to extract heat to warm your home, or work in the inverse to cool your home. These units require a loop; a system of pipes that allows liquid to circulate throughout the ground on your property. Because these loops either require expensive vertical drilling, or large amounts of space for a horizontal loop installation, they tend to be most common in rural areas where properties are vast. We discuss this more in detail in our blog post here.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
Rather than generating heat like a gas-powered or electric furnace, a heat pump works to extract the heat from the outdoor air and transfer it indoors. In cooling mode, it works in the opposite way by attracting and expelling warm air inside the home to the outdoors.
Because a heat pump doesn’t generate heat but just transfers it, it can be far more efficient than traditional heating systems.
How Is a Heat Pump Different from a Central Air Conditioner?
The key difference is that a heat pump has a reversing valve. This is what allows it to switch from cooling to heating mode by reversing the flow of the refrigerant. While it’s not marketed or referred to in this way, the truth is that your central air conditioner is a heat pump – it’s just locked into cooling mode only since its valve cannot reverse.
What Are the Key Parts of a Central Heat Pump?
A centrally ducted whole home heat pump has all the same components as your central air conditioner. It has an evaporation coil. This is typically placed in the supply air* ductwork above your furnace. It also has an outdoor unit that includes a condenser coil – the large series of small metal fins you see wrapping around most of the unit, a compressor (the motor), and a large fan.
Note: In a centrally ducted home, there are two main trunks of ductwork. The first is the supply air. In a typical installation, this is the ductwork that starts atop your furnace that goes to the registers in each room. The second is the return air ductwork. These are typically larger registers, and there are fewer throughout the home. They intake air from these rooms and bring it back to the furnace. At the end of the return air ductwork lives a filter to clear out any particulate before that air reaches your furnace. The combination of these two ductwork trunks allows your home to circulate air effectively.
Heat Pump Basics
Are Heat Pumps New?
Absolutely not. The technology that heat pumps use is centuries old.
Why Are Heat Pumps Becoming So Popular?
There are a few key reasons why you might not have heard about heat pumps until more recently:
- Advances in compressor technology have enabled heat pumps to work far more efficiently than before and work in much warmer and harsher cold weather more effectively.
- If you live in Ontario, where natural gas is available at many households, there wasn’t as high of a need for more efficient solutions because natural gas – or even propane in more rural areas – has been so readily available, and generally inexpensive. Atlantic Canadians have known about heat pumps far longer. Their less dense urban areas, and in the case of Newfoundland in particular, challenging rock geography – made the deployment of a widespread natural gas system far less viable. As a result, heat pumps have enjoyed far more popularity in these geographies.
- Lastly, and importantly, many levels of government across Canada have began incentivizing the adoption of heat pumps with lucrative rebates. This helps reduce the country’s carbon footprint by avoiding burning fossil fuels like natural gas, propane and even oil, in favour of using clean electricity.
Heat pumps have also enjoyed popularity for a long time outside of Canada. Their adoption rate is highest in the Scandinavian countries like Finland, Norway and Sweden. It’s important to note that these countries experience very frigid winters – just like Canada – so having heat pumps that perform well in these harsher conditions is critical.
Using a Heat Pump During Canadian Winters
Will a Heat Pump Work During Canadian Winters?
Yes. If you live in one of the many areas of Canada that experiences particularly cold winters, you’ll want to ensure your heat pump has a “cold climate” rating. These are sometimes referred to as ccASHPs (Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps).
What Is a Cold Climate Heat Pump?
Simply put, a cold climate heat pump is designed to a higher standard to allow it to work in colder winter weather. For a majority of Canadians who live in areas with very cold winters, it’s a good idea to ensure your heat pump bears this designation.
Will a Heat Pump Work in Freezing Temperatures?
Yes! This is one of the most common misconceptions and arguments about heat pumps – that they won’t keep your home warm on cold winter days. The truth is that today’s heat pumps are manufactured to much higher standards than their predecessors even a decade ago. They’re more efficient, and more powerful. Most cold climate heat pumps can work at temperatures dipping as low as -30 degrees Celsius. You can read far more detailed data in this study published by Efficiency Canada which was authored by Sarah Riddell and Brendan Haley, PhD.
Importantly, using a heat pump doesn’t mean you have to rely on it 100% of the time. You can use a heat pump but also have backup – commonly known as auxiliary – heat. In a fully carbon-free installation, this could be an electric duct heater that activates on the coldest days of the year if the heat pump is working more slowly than you’d like.
You can also keep your gas-powered furnace and still use a heat pump! This is known has a hybrid installation.
What Is a Hybrid (Dual Fuel) System?
Also known as a dual fuel solution, a hybrid system uses a heat pump as the home’s primary heat source. On days with extreme weather dipping below -30C, or when you just want more warmth immediately rather than waiting for the heat pump that works more efficiently and therefore more slowly – you can rely on a natural gas or propane burning furnace to add supplementary heat to your home. Many homeowners across Ontario aren’t ready to turn off the gas meter entirely. They will still use gas for a fireplace, perhaps a BBQ or even a stove or dryer for their clothes, so getting rid of it entirely isn’t a practical choice. Many are also simply familiar and comfortable with their gas-powered furnaces and trust in its reliable ability to deliver heat quickly. These hybrid systems work to give you the best of both worlds; efficient, environmentally friendly heating around the clock, and a backup of reliable and quick-acting gas-burning heat when you want it.
Can I Use My Existing Furnace?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when considering an upgrade to a hybrid system. The short answer is maybe. What’s important to note is that your home’s heating and cooling components (your furnace, air conditioner and/or heat pump) are designed to work together as one system. Mixing and matching old components with new ones won’t always work. Sometimes they’re incompatible. For example, having a furnace capable of only one fan speed paired with a heat pump that modulates to have many different fan speeds. The good news is that a good Comfort Advisor can give you a concrete answer after reviewing your existing system and understanding your replacement goals. Using a massive list compiled by AHRI, they’ll be able to specify the exact system compatibility requirements between your furnace, air conditioner/heat pump and the evaporation coil—definitively answering whether your existing furnace will be compatible.
Heat Pump Efficiency Explained
How Is Heat Pump Efficiency Measured?
Heat pumps’ efficiency is measured by a metric known has COP, or Coefficient of Performance. In basic terms, COP refers to the relationship between input (how much electricity is used) and output (how much heating or cooling is achieved). A COP of 1 means you’re using equivalent amounts of electricity compared to the output the machine is producing. All electrical resistance heating – like baseboard heaters or an electric furnace – work with a COP of 1. A COP of 2.5 means you’re receiving 2.5X more cooling or heating relative to how much electricity you’re using. Because heat pumps are expected to work in both extreme and moderate weather, their COP is not a static number; it varies according to both outdoor air conditions, as well as the load you request of it based on how you’ve set your thermostat. On a mild autumn day, your heat pump may well achieve a COP of 2.5 or 3, but on the hottest, muggiest days of summer or the coldest days of winter, that will often drop closer to 1.
What Is SEER?
SEER is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Unlike COP, it doesn’t not measure the unit’s efficiency in real-time, rather, it is a rating of the unit’s potential performance. The higher the number, the higher the potential efficiency. For example, a very basic central air conditioner might have a SEER rating of 13, whereas a more sophisticated heat pump could have a rating exceeding 20. Of note, these ratings apply only to cooling applications.
What Is SEER2?
Introduced as the standard for Canada by the government on January 1st 2023, SEER2 uses updated testing procedures, known as the M1 testing standards, to determine the rating. Specifically, the new tests use significantly higher external static pressure to simulate real-work ductwork resistance. As a result, the SEER2 ratings are lower than the previous SEER ratings of heat pumps and air conditioners. Another key difference is that a SEER2 rating is regionalized. Because the weather varies dramatically across Canada, these newer ratings are designed to reflect that.
What Is HSPF?
HSPF is the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Think of it as SEER but only for heating applications.
What Is HSPF2?
HSPF2 is a more rigorous standard than its predecessor. It accounts for more factors (like static pressure). North America adopted this as the standard for ratings on equipment as of January 1st 2023 – the same time as the SEER2 rating. Because the rating system is stricter, most equipment today will have a lower HSFP2 rating than older equipment rated on the HSPF standard.
More information about ratings can be found on the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) website here: Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Regulation Standards (SEER2/HSPF2)
Choosing the Right Heat Pump
Most people in Canada will benefit from using a heat pump to heat and cool their homes. If you’re using electrical resistance heating now – like an electric furnace or baseboard heaters – using a heat pump will improve efficiency on most days – and that saves you money on your electricity bill. If you’re primarily heating with fossil fuels – like a natural gas, propane or oil furnace – moving to a heat pump will make a significant and positive environmental impact. It will also improve efficiency. As stated, heat pumps often work above 100% efficiency. Most gas furnaces work closer to 90 to 98% efficiency meaning that at least some of the gas you’re burning isn’t heating your home – it’s going right out the exhaust flue.
Heat pumps work best when you set and forget your thermostat. If you keep your thermostatset to 22C for example, the heat pump system will work to keep your indoor temperature exactly there. It’s efficiency in doing so will vary as the weather outdoors changes, but you’ll still typically get a COP of 1.5 to 2 – even in temperatures as low as -20C.
If you like to regularly change the temperature in your home – and prefer that temperature different to occur as quickly as possible – a heat pump may not be an ideal solution. Heat pumps work efficiently in part because they have slower recovery times than electrical resistance or gas-burning appliances. This doesn’t mean a heat pump isn’t for you, but you may want to consider a hybrid or dual-fuel system as described earlier. Many smart thermostats have settings that allow you to favour efficiency or faster results, allowing you to make the most of the heat pump’s efficiency when possible, but also have a solution for more immediate heating when you’d like it.
What Heat Pump Brands Do You Recommend?
As with many things, brand is often less important than specifications. Making sure you’ve got a cold climate rated heat pump should be the first consideration. The next-most important thing is to pick the right heat pump for your home. This should be done with a heating and cooling professional. They’ll review your home’s size, orientation to the sun and amount of windows, insulation ratings and many other factors that impact what size of system you should buy. Equally important, how well the system is installed will play a major role in how effectively it works, and what levels of efficiency it attains. Working with experienced and licensed air conditioning or refrigeration mechanics is key to ensuring your system performs optimally.
One factor you may want to consider for brand is the warranty, as these vary between manufacturers. The HVAC contractor you choose to work with will likely have a preference of a brand they like based upon their track record of reliability, warranty terms, and their relationship and ability to get parts for repair if needed.
Can I Just Install a Bigger Heat Pump?
No. Oversizing your unit is not advisable. The calculations mentioned above will help a Comfort Advisor determine the heating and cooling load for your home. If you oversize your heat pump – or even a furnace – compared to the home’s heating load, the machine will never run efficiently. This is because it will achieve the temperature you set the thermostat to very quickly, and the unit will turn off. This is known as short cycling, and it’s very hard on the machinery that was designed to run for longer periods. It’s very much like comparing city and highway mileage on your vehicle.
Similarly, if you oversize an air conditioner or heat pump relative to your home’s cooling load, you’ll find yourself uncomfortable. Air conditioners and heat pumps work in two key ways. One of them is removing humidity from the indoor air so the air “feels” cooler. Secondly, they transfer warm air outside. If your cooling unit is oversized, it won’t run long enough to remove humidity effectively, and you end up with cool air that’s still humid inside the home. This is often described as the feeling you get when in a cave – cool, but damp air.
Heat Pump Performance, Maintenance & Lifespan
Are Heat Pumps Noisy?
Not at all. Traditional central air conditioners often run at noise levels of 55 to 70 decibels, or dB. Modern heat pumps typically run between 40 and 60 dB, which is noticeably quieter. This is largely due to the use of advanced variable-speed inverter technology. Instead of your heat pump turning on at full blast, it has many stages of fan speed and thus heating or cooling impact and running for longer times and lower speeds is quieter than immediately cycling on at full capacity. It’s also much more efficient.
Will a Heat Pump Last as Long as an Air Conditioner?
Yes, it should – so long as it’s properly installed and maintained. Because the heat pump is working both in the warmer months to cool your home, and in the cooler months to heat your home, you are using the machine more than a traditional air conditioner. It’s therefore very important that the machine is properly installed and calibrated by expert professionals, and that you maintain it. Like your car, it’s a mechanical appliance and requires some regular maintenance. You can learn more about maintenance plans from ClimateCare member companies here. You can also guarantee a worry-free experience and guaranteed longevity with a WePROTECT plan.
Why Is My Heat Pump Always Running and Will It Shorten the Compressor’s Life?
Heat pumps work efficiently and slowly. Rather than constantly turning on and off for small adjustments, they work consistently to maintain the temperature you specify on your thermostat. It’s normal for it to be running for much of the day. It’s important to note that longer run times aren’t detrimental to the heat pump’s compressor motor – it’s designed to work that way.
Will I Save Money Compared to a Gas Furnace?
While many consumers will see savings, the answer here depends on your exact situation. Specifically, did a professional appropriately size the heat pump for your home, was it properly installed and commissioned, how extreme is the weather where you live, and how warm or cool your keep your home – and how patient you are with waiting for those temperature adjustments. The cost of gas and electricity where you live are major factors, too. This is why we see heat pump adoption in great numbers across much of the province of Québec where hydroelectricity is inexpensive, whereas heating with gas is still prevalent across much of Alberta because the cost is so low.
What Is That Noise Coming From My Heat Pump?
If you haven’t had a heat pump before, one important thing to note is that it goes through a defrost cycle. Between -5C and +5C in high humidity, frost can build up on the outdoor coil. To eliminate the frost and resume normal operation, the heat pump will automatically switch into cooling mode for a brief period, which will usually produce visible steam emanating from the unit, and an unusual noise. All of these behaviours are perfectly normal as the heat pump works to keep itself in top operating condition.
Will My Home Support an Electric Heat Pump?
This is another area where having a great Comfort Advisor will help. If you’re moving from a gas-based heating system to a heat pump that’s powered entirely by electricity, the electrical load of your home will increase. Having sure your home’s electrical service is capable of this is an important factor to consider in both the cost and logistics of the system upgrade.
Ready to Explore Heat Pump Options?
Whether you’re considering replacing an aging furnace, upgrading your air conditioner, or exploring a hybrid heating system, a heat pump can be an energy-efficient solution for many Canadian homes. The key is choosing the right system for your home’s size, comfort needs, and local climate, and having it installed by experienced professionals. Your local ClimateCare member can assess your current system, explain your options, identify any available rebates or financing programs, and recommend a solution tailored to your home and budget. Contact your local ClimateCare dealer today to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward reliable, year-round home comfort.
