As the focus on renewable energy grows, exploring sustainable solutions for your home becomes increasingly important. Air source heat pumps have emerged as a popular choice, offering a range of benefits for both homeowners and the environment.
Air source heat pumps can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions – by more than 500 million tons by 2030. So, they are highly efficient and environmentally friendly and could be an alternative to traditional electric heating systems. Over 840,000 Canadian homes have already made the switch to heat pumps.
This guide will provide a comprehensive overview, including the benefits and potential drawbacks of air source heat pumps, costs, Canadian rebates, and other things you should know.
An air-source heat pump is a device that extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it to water. The heated water circulates through radiators or underfloor heating systems to warm your home. Also, the heat pump can heat water stored in a hot water cylinder for use in hot taps, showers, and bathtubs.
Here’s how it works in five key steps:
If you’re concerned about how to heat your home efficiently, several options are to consider. While new, efficient boilers can be a good choice for saving money on energy bills, air source heat pumps offer another attractive option.
Here’s why:
Installation is a straightforward process. An external unit is mounted on a wall outside your home and connected to an internal unit that links to your current heating and hot water systems.
Heat pump costs vary depending on your home’s size and needs, but a typical four-bedroom house installation might cost around $10,000 and $20,000 in Canada.
The cost of running your heat pump is determined by its design and operation. Savings on your energy bill are dependent on the system you’re upgrading, as follows:
The Canadian and Ontario governments offer attractive financial incentives to encourage people to switch to heat pumps. There are three heat pump rebate programs available in Canada in 2024, as follows:
This Ontario government-sponsored initiative offers rebates of up to $4,500 to homeowners in select municipalities for installing a hybrid heating system that combines a heat pump with a natural gas furnace. These hybrid systems optimize energy use by switching between natural gas and electricity based on efficiency and outside temperature, minimizing energy expenditures and carbon footprints.
The program initially launched in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catharines, Peterborough, and London, then expanded to Ajax, Barrie, Pickering, and Whitby.
The OHPA program assists low-to-moderate-income Canadian households in switching from home heating oil to more environmentally friendly heat pump systems. Initially offering rebates of up to $10,000 for purchasing a qualified heat pump, the program now provides qualifying households with federal subsidies of up to $15,000.
The goal is to cover the average cost of installing a heat pump, potentially saving homeowners between $1,500 and $4,700 per year on energy.
The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) provides free cold-climate air source heat pumps to income-eligible Ontario homeowners with electrically heated homes through the Energy Affordability Program (EAP). This initiative is part of an effort to improve energy efficiency across the province, which includes increased incentives for tailored energy efficiency projects and demand response programs to promote sustainable power use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
| Feature | Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Efficiency | 3-4x more efficient than gas boiler | Lower heat supply and Larger radiators |
| Carbon Emissions | Low, further reduced with renewable energy | |
| Running Costs | Reduced long-term costs | May require insulation upgrades for optimal performance and incentives |
| Financial Incentives | Energy bill savings | Higher upfront cost compared to other heating systems |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance, long service life | Healthier system for longer |
| Insulation | Improves efficiency and may qualify for government support (may require additional investment) | |
| Heat Pump Installation Time | 3-8 days for heat pump installation | Lengthy process which can take up to 12 weeks from purchase to installation |
| Space Requirements | Needs outdoor space for the pump and indoor space for a water tank (indoor unit may be required, replacing existing boiler) | |
| Heat Supply | Lower heat supply – needs Larger radiators | |
| Performance | Performance dips in the cold – SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance) considers this | |
| Noise | Noise nuisance – Think about the position during installation | |
| Electricity | Electricity can come from renewable sources | |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance, long service life | Maintenance required |
| Heat Pump Repair | Heat pump repairs may be required – While heat pumps generally require minimal maintenance, repairs may become necessary over time. |
This post can provide valuable information, but consulting with professionals is highly recommended to determine if a heat pump is the right option for your home.
While air source heat pumps have an upfront cost, financing options may be available in your area to help you switch to a more energy efficient heat pump system.
When choosing heat pump installers, look for a company that is certified by a reputable program in Canada. So, you will ensure that the installer meets high standards for qualifications and experience. For additional resources on finding reliable heat pump contractors, visit Confirmed Contracting Corp.
How much electricity do air source heat pumps use?
A typical air-source heat pump in a typical home uses 5,475 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year.
Do air source heat pumps have a good performance?
Air source heat pumps are surprisingly efficient, even in cold climates – as long as they are properly maintained.
Are air source heat pumps 100% energy efficient?
Heat pumps are very efficient, meaning they can move more heat than the electricity they consume. They typically achieve efficiencies of 300% to 400%, which means they can provide three to four times more heat than the electrical energy they use. In contrast, a space heater can only convert electricity into heat at a maximum efficiency of 100%.
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