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Heat Pump Installation in Ottawa
Cold-Climate Heat Pumps Installed and Serviced Across Ottawa
A heat pump heats and cools your home with one piece of equipment, and it does it by moving heat instead of burning fuel. In an Ottawa winter it pulls warmth out of the outdoor air and brings it inside. In July it runs backwards and takes the heat out. Just Air installs and services heat pumps for homeowners across Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Stittsville, Barrhaven, Clarence-Rockland and the surrounding areas. If you are weighing a heat pump against a straight furnace and air conditioner replacement, call us at (613) 266-9742 and we will walk you through both.
Just Air
Heat Pump Installation in Ottawa
We size and install heat pumps the same way we install furnaces: we look at the house first. Square footage, insulation, window area, existing ductwork, the electrical panel and how you actually use the place all change the answer. An oversized heat pump short cycles and never gets comfortable. An undersized one leans on backup heat all winter and costs you money. Our licensed technicians handle the load calculation, the equipment selection, the install and the commissioning, and we tell you honestly when a heat pump is not the right call for your home.
how it works
What Is a Heat Pump and How Does It Work?
A heat pump is an electric system that both heats and cools a home by moving heat rather than generating it. In heating mode it absorbs heat from the outdoor air, even when that air is cold, concentrates it with a compressor and releases it inside. In cooling mode the cycle reverses and it works exactly like a central air conditioner.
Because it moves heat instead of creating it, a heat pump delivers more heating energy than the electrical energy it consumes. That is the whole reason people look at them: one box replaces both the furnace and the air conditioner, and it runs on electricity instead of gas.
There are two common setups in Ottawa homes. A ducted heat pump connects to the ductwork you already have and heats the whole house. A ductless heat pump uses wall-mounted indoor heads and suits homes or rooms with no ducts. We cover the ductless option in more detail on our ductless and mini-split page.
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ottawa winters
Do Heat Pumps Work in Ottawa Winters?
Yes, with the right equipment and the right backup plan. Cold-climate models are built for exactly this climate, and modern units keep producing useful heat well below freezing.
Natural Resources Canada notes that air-source heat pumps have a minimum operating temperature, and that for newer models this ranges from about -15°C to -25°C. Below that point a supplemental heat source takes over. See the NRCan heat pump guide.
That is why most Ottawa installations we do are set up one of two ways:
- Dual fuel: the heat pump carries the house through fall, most of winter and spring, and your gas furnace takes the coldest nights. This is the common choice for homes that already have gas.
- All electric: a cold-climate heat pump with electric backup heat. It suits well-insulated homes and homes with no gas service.
The changeover point gets set during commissioning, not guessed. We configure it so the system uses the cheaper source at any given outdoor temperature.
rebates
Heat Pump Rebates in Ontario
Heat pumps sit at the centre of most Ontario home efficiency incentives, which is a large part of why homeowners are asking about them.
Program names, amounts and eligibility rules change, and several of them require a home energy assessment by a Registered Energy Advisor before any work starts. Do not order equipment first and go looking for the rebate afterwards. Check our Ontario rebates page for what is current, or call us and we will point you at the right program for your situation.
We will not promise you a rebate amount over the phone. We will tell you which programs your planned work is likely to qualify for and what paperwork sequence you need to follow.
brands
Heat Pump Brands We Install and Service
We work with the equipment lines shown on this site, including Carrier, Bryant, Daikin, Comfortmaker and Ducane. Which one goes in your home depends on the capacity you need, the cold-climate rating, the sound level if the outdoor unit sits near a bedroom window, and the parts and warranty support behind it.
If you already have a heat pump from another brand, we will still service it. Repairs, refrigerant work, control faults and seasonal maintenance are all things we take on.
Not sure whether a heat pump or a high-efficiency furnace makes more sense for your house? Read our heating services page and our cooling services page, then call us and we will give you a straight comparison.
for customers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do heat pumps work in Ottawa winters?
Yes. Cold-climate heat pumps keep producing heat well below freezing. Natural Resources Canada puts the minimum operating temperature of newer air-source models at roughly -15°C to -25°C, and below that a backup heat source takes over. Most Ottawa homes we install are set up as dual fuel, so the heat pump does the bulk of the season and the gas furnace covers the coldest nights.
How much does a heat pump cost in Ottawa?
It depends on the size of the unit, whether your home already has ductwork, whether your electrical panel needs upgrading, and whether you keep the furnace as backup. Those variables move the number a lot, so we quote after we have seen the house rather than publishing a figure that will not apply to you. Call (613) 266-9742 for current pricing.
Can a heat pump replace my furnace completely?
In a well-insulated home with adequate electrical capacity, yes. Many Ottawa homeowners keep the gas furnace as backup instead, which is called a dual fuel system. It costs less to install than a full electrification, and it removes any worry about the coldest week of the year.
Are there rebates for heat pumps in Ontario?
Ontario incentive programs have consistently included heat pumps, and most require a home energy assessment before the work begins. Amounts and eligibility change, so check our rebates page or call us before you buy anything. We will tell you which programs your project is likely to fit.
Does a heat pump cool the house in summer too?
Yes. The refrigeration cycle reverses in summer and the heat pump works as a central air conditioner. That is the appeal for a lot of homeowners: one system, one install, one piece of equipment to maintain instead of two.
How long does a heat pump installation take?
A straightforward changeover in a home with existing ductwork is usually a one or two day job. Add time if the electrical panel needs work, if ductwork has to be modified, or if we are converting a home with no ducts at all. We give you the schedule with the quote.
How often does a heat pump need servicing?
Once a year at minimum, and twice is better because the unit runs in both seasons. A yearly check covers refrigerant charge, coil cleaning, filter condition, electrical connections and defrost operation. Skipping it is the fastest way to lose efficiency and shorten the life of the compressor.
