Are heat pumps suitable for your home in Ottawa? Discover all there is to know about heat pumps before you buy with our Heat Pump Buying Guide.
Cooling In The Summer - Heating In The Winter
The energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of air source heat pumps are driving their increasing popularity in the Ottawa area & surrounding communities as a heating and cooling option for homes. Our informative guide will explain how heat pumps operate, introduce their key features, and equip you to make an informed decision about switching to a Heat Pump Heating & Cooling System.
Why should I install a heat pump?
A heat pump is a comprehensive heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solution suitable for all seasons. This efficient system extracts heat energy from the air and redistributes it within or outside your home.
When considering a switch to a heat pump, understand the considerable benefits.
Heat Pumps Are Energy Efficient
Heat transfer requires significantly less energy than heat generation. This is why heat pumps demonstrate higher efficiency compared to combustion-based systems (e.g., oil, gas, propane) or those relying on electric resistance for heat production (e.g., electric baseboards, furnaces)..
They Are More Cost-Effective - Saving You Money.
An energy-efficient heating & cooling system can lead to saving money on your energy bills. When making the switch to a heat pump your energy savings hinge on factors like your home's efficiency and previous system you are switching from.
The CoolHeat team is able to provide professional guidance on the best option for your home and any rebates you may qualify for to help reduce up-front costs of installing a new heat pump heating and cooling system. Get Started Here
Heat Pumps Are Highly Versatile
Heat pumps do not just provide heating, heat pumps are also able to provide cooling, dehumidification and help remove and filter out allergens and dust from the air in your home.—keeping you comfortable all year round.
The Different Types of Heat Pumps
The CoolHeat Ottawa Heat Pump Buying Guide focuses on air source heat pumps, however there are different types of heat pumps, depending on what source they absorb heat from. The most popular heat pumps being installed in Ottawa are air sourced heat pumps.
Most-Popular In Ottawa; Air Source Heat Pumps
- Absorb and transfer heat from the air.
- Most popular & common type of heat pump for homes in Ottawa & surrounding communities.
- Available in both ductless and ducted (central) applications.
Ground Source Heat Pumps (Geothermal)
- Absorb and transfer heat from the ground.
- Take advantage of underground temperatures.
- They are expensive, complex and more difficult to install.
Water Source Heat Pumps
- Absorb and transfer heat from water, including lakes, ponds and rivers.
Air to Water Source Heat Pumps
- Absorb and transfer heat from the air into the homes in-floor heating system or radiators throughout the home.
How Does An Air Source Heat Pump Work?
Air source heat pumps are the most popular and most common type of heat pump for residential heating and cooling in Ottawa and surrounding communities.
An air source heat pump consists of an outdoor unit linked to an indoor unit via a refrigerant line. During winter, the outdoor unit captures air, extracts its heat, and conveys it to a refrigerant fluid. Temperature and pressure combine to convert this fluid into a gas. The gas is then compressed to raise its temperature, with resulting heat transferred to your home from the unit or through ductwork.
The process is reversed during the warmer summer months. The heat pump absorbs heat from inside your home and transfers it outside, this makes the system not only provide high efficient heating but also high-efficient air conditioning.
Will I Be Able To Use My Heat Pump In Cold, Harsh Ottawa Winters ?
A standard air source heat pump will lose its heating capability when temperatures drop below zero, our cold climate air source heat pumps are specifically designed for harsh environments. Cold climate air source heat pumps are designed to work in colder temperatures as low as -25°C.
What Should I Consider Before Installing A Heat Pump?
If you are considering to install a heat pump here are a few important questions to ask.
Should I Install a Ducted or Ductless Heat Pump System?
A central ducted heat pump works similar to a central furnace or air conditioner system. Connected to the ductwork throughout your home, the system is regulated by a central thermostat, air flows through the ducts heating or cooling your home.
Ductless heat pump systems release warm or cool air directly from an indoor unit that is connected to the outdoor unit. The indoor unit ('head') is attached to the wall or floor. Depending on your home's dimensions and layout, you might require multiple indoor units.
Ductless Heat Pumps Are a Popular Solution if:
- Your living in a home without ductwork (electric baseboard heating for example)
- Your living in smaller spaces.
- If you would like to have multiple areas of your home different temperatures.
- If you added an addition to your home and need to ensure the area is heated or cooled.
Should I Install a Standalone or Hybrid Heat Pump System?
Some homeowners in Ottawa choose a hybrid systems, with a conventional high efficient furnace or boiler acting as a backup to a primary air source heat pump. When the temperature drops, the heat pump works harder, reducing the efficiency and heating capacity of the heat pump.
We recommend installing cold climate air source heat pumps, which are specifically designed and engineered to operate and provide heat in lower temperatures.
The decision to choose a standalone or hybrid heat pump system depends on your climate, energy costs, heat loss, and home type. In Ottawa most homes are hybrid heat pump systems. Our professional team members are able to evaluate your home and determine the most efficient and cost-effective heating solution.
Should I Install a Single stage, Two Stage or Variable Stage Heat Pump?
Single-stage heat pumps use a simple on/off cycle that turns on when the temperature dips below (or rises above) a specific set point. Single-Stage heat pumps only operate on full speed, making it a less cost effective heat pump system.
Two-Stage heat pumps utilize two speeds, high and low. The two stages allow for more specific and precise temperature controls.
Variable-stage heat pumps are our most advanced heat pump systems available on the market at this time. Variable-stage heat pumps monitor and adjust to a wide range of speeds to maintain the specific desired temperature indoor. Using only necessary power making it highly energy-efficient compared to two-stage and single stage systems.
What Are Other Factors Should I Consider Before Installing A Heat Pump?
We offer multiple heat pump manufacturers, models and options that will meet your needs. Some other factors to consider to compare our available models include:
- Unit & Installation Costs
- Size Of The Outdoor Unit
- Heating/Cooling Capacity
- Efficiency Rating
- How loud is the unit
Working With CoolHeat Comfort To Install A Heat Pump
Replacing or upgrading your home's heating and cooling system is a big undertaking. When you are ready to make the switch to a Heat Pump our team is here to help you every step of the way. The next step is scheduling a free in-home consultation our team is able to help you make the best decision for your home to meet your needs and reduce your energy costs. GET STARTED HERE
Our Team Will:
- Assess the type of home, the size, construction and layout of your home to calculate the heat loss.
- Inspect and determine if your ductwork is adequate to meet the air flow needs of the new heat pump.
- Our team may recommend other measures to get the most out of your heat pump increasing the energy-efficiency of your home.
- Our team will provide you with an estimate with information on recommended products, warranty, total cost of installation and removal of old equipment.
