Why Heat Pumps Are the Smart Choice for Canadian Homes

Over the last several years in particular, a lot of Canadians have been exposed to the term “heat pump” – often for the first time. This is largely thanks to their rising popularity that’s been fueled by government-funded rebate programs. So, what is this “new” technology, and why should anyone pay attention to it? More to the point: why are we talking about heat pumps in the middle of the summer?!

Heat Pumps Explained

The first thing to understand is that nearly all heat pumps are dual purpose; they both heat and cool your home. It’s a bit of a misnomer in English, but if you were to directly translate the term from French, a thermal pump is a better description. And here’s an idea that’s really going to blow your mind; if you have a central air conditioner, you already have a heat pump!

An air conditioner is really just a heat pump in a “cooling only” configuration. It works very much the same way a heat pump does, except that it doesn’t have a reversing valve to switch from cooling to heating mode. This might be one of the largest marketing failures of the heat pump industry. Canadian building and HVAC expert Gord Cooke actually calls them “dual purpose air conditioners”.

Why Heat Pumps Are Worth It

So, now that you know you’ve been trusting a heat pump to cool and dehumidify your home for decades, you shouldn’t be apprehensive about trusting that same process to heat your home in the winter. It also comes with some great bonuses:

1. It’s more efficient

Because heat pumps don’t generate heat – they simply transfer it from outdoors to indoors – they use much less power than direct heating appliances like furnaces. This can save you big money on your heating bill!

2. It’s greener

Heat pumps use clean electricity, and don’t burn any fossil fuels, so there’s no carbon footprint associated with using them. They help us commit to a greener, more environmentally-friendly way of heating our homes.

3. It’s tried and true

There’s a lot of misinformation out there that heat pumps are new. In fact, they first trace back to thermal transfer devices devised in the mid 1850s. The recent surge in popularity can be attributed to advances in compressor technology that’s driven increases in efficiency.

4. But it’s too cold here for a heat pump

This common argument just doesn’t make sense. Nearly all heat pumps sold and installed in Ontario are cold climate rated, capable of extracting and transferring heat from the coldest outdoor conditions.

5. But I like my gas furnace

And you’re welcome to keep it as a backup for days when you want the heat to be near-instant. Pairing a heat pump with a gas furnace, known as a hybrid system, is one of the most common installation configurations! Since the entire system is controlled by the thermostat, you as the homeowner get to choose how you use the heat pump. You can use it as an air conditioner for cooling only, let it do the majority of the heating to favour efficiency, or have the furnace kick in earlier to ensure the temperature you want remains constant. You’re in complete control of the system!

6. It’s quieter

Heat pumps also often have quieter operation in cooling mode than most air conditioners, usually around 55 decibels. This means less noise near your outdoor living spaces, and even quieter operation when inside your home.

7. It fits tight spaces

Worried about space? Side discharge heat pumps have smaller footprints than traditional air conditioners, which makes them a great fit for tight spaces – especially if that’s in a close-fitting space between neighbours.

Want to stay cool this summer?

Think heat pump! Contact us to learn more about the benefits and cost savings of switching to a heat pump.