Winter in Canada is cold. Certain parts of Canada are especially freezing. While Toronto isn’t the coldest part of Canada, it gets cold enough that Toronto homeowners want to be sure their heating system is sufficient and reliable.
As heat pumps grow in popularity, we get this question a lot: are heat pumps enough to heat my Toronto home? In the past, it’s been a common misconception that heat pumps don’t work well enough to keep a Toronto home warm and comfortable. However, the truth is that heat pumps are a great option for Toronto homeowners for both their heating and cooling needs.
Heat Pumps Have Come a Long Way
Yes, it’s true that the heat pumps of the past were not suitable for Toronto homes. When heat pumps first began gaining popularity, they weren’t able to reliably heat a home when temperatures fell below freezing. But with ongoing advances in technology, heat pumps can now handle freezing temperatures. In fact, certain heat pumps function sufficiently in temperatures as low as -35 degrees Celsius, as long as they’re properly maintained. Plus, heat pumps continue to be improved upon.
Still, modern heat pumps have some limitations. But, they’ve come a long way from where they once were. They are a reliable heat source for Toronto residents, offering high efficiency and reduced utility costs.
Backup Heat Sources
Since modern heat pumps can heat homes efficiently and thoroughly at temperatures below freezing, you don’t necessarily need a supplementary or backup source of heat. However, it might still be a good idea – it is Canada after all. We all know that there are winter days that sink below negative thirty, so for these times, or in the event of a heating emergency, many Toronto homeowners have auxiliary electrical heating.
The most common supplemental heat source Torontonians have is baseboard heating which was installed before the heat pump. Homes with centrally ducted heat pumps can sometimes have an electric auxiliary heating system built in for those extremely cold days. Consult Spring Home Heating & Cooling to see which backup system best suits your home.
Why are Heat Pumps so Efficient?
Heat pumps are particularly efficient and effective because they don’t work the same as a traditional furnace or boiler. Instead of using energy or natural gas to create heat, a heat pump extracts the heat out of the fresh air and disperses it throughout your home. Instead of generating heat and warming cool air, a heat pump simply moves the heat to where it’s needed most. Because heat pumps only move heat, they can reach efficiencies of 300% or more. Whereas a gas furnace has a theoretical maximum efficiency of 100%, as it cannot generate more heat energy than the energy in the fuel. This is what makes heat pumps so cost-effective and energy efficient.
Take Advantage of the Canada Greener Homes Grant
If you’re interested in having a heat pump installed in your Toronto home, now is the best time to do so. The federal government of Canada is currently offering the Canada Greener Homes Grant, which reimburses homeowners for a portion of the cost of a heat pump installation. This means that if you install a heat pump in your home, you could be eligible for a rebate of up to $5,000.
The Canada Greener Homes Grant offers:
- Up to $5,000 for adding a cold climate heat pump
- Up to $4,000 for adding an air source heat pump
Learn more about the Canada Greener Home Grant here!
Benefits of Installing a Heat Pump in Your Toronto Home
- You could be eligible for rebates.
- It’s an energy-efficient form of heating.
- It’s cost-effective to operate.
- Heat pumps have a long lifespan.
- They’re cheaper to install than furnaces.
- It’s a 2-in-1 heating and cooling system.
- They reduce your carbon footprint.
- They don’t require any ductwork.
- They fit with Canada’s plan to reduce carbon emissions.
Are you wondering if a heat pump could benefit your home?
Contact the experts at Spring Home today!
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Spring Home has been servicing the HVAC needs of the GTA for over 20 years. Our award-winning team of licensed technicians is committed to providing our clients with service they can trust and equipment they can rely on.