Heat pumps are an excellent solution for people who want two-in-one climate control. Ontario’s hot summers and cold winters are ideally suited to heat pumps. Here’s an overview of how heat pumps can provide your home with consistent comfort year-round.
How do heat pumps work?
Heat pumps serve as both furnaces and air conditioners. Unlike furnaces and air conditioners, heat pumps don’t create cool or warm air from a fuel source. Rather, they extract and move heat from one location to another. In summer, it cools your living space by moving warm air out. In winter, it reverses this function.
Air-source heat pumps
The most common type of heat pump in Canada, air-source heat pumps use the difference between outdoor and indoor air temperatures to cool or heat your home. In heating mode, they use the outdoor air as a thermal energy source; in cooling mode, they expel heat outdoors when in cooling mode.
Air source heat pumps can be centrally ducted or ductless. Ducted systems distribute heat and cooling through ductwork connected to vents in each room. They're ideal for larger homes that already have ducted, forced-air heating systems.
Ductless systems, also known as mini-splits, don’t require you to have ductwork. Ductless heat pumps have an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units throughout the house, allowing you to adjust the temperature in each room independently. Ductless systems are ideal for older homes without existing ductwork or for outbuildings or additions where installing ductwork would be impractical.
The advantages of heat pumps for year-round comfort
On top of being a two-in-one solution that keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter, heat pumps have the following advantages:
They’re energy-efficient: Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient. In fact, when properly installed, a heat pump uses a third as much energy as electric baseboards and considerably less energy than gas or oil furnaces.
They provide improved air quality: Most heat pumps provide dehumidification and are equipped with enhanced filtration systems to clean the air circulating through your home.
They’re eco-friendly: Since heat pumps run on electricity, they have less of an impact on the environment, creating fewer harmful emissions.
They have a long lifespan: When properly maintained, heat pumps can last over 20 years, so you can rest assured you’ll get the most out of your investment.
Unsure whether a new heat pump is an affordable option? You may qualify for financing and energy-efficiency rebates.
Heat pumps in Ontario
Ready to take the leap and upgrade to a heat pump? If so, look no further than Comfort NEXT Heating & Cooling. With over 25 years of experience, our team is skilled and equipped to install, service and maintain air-source heat pumps in Milton, Brantford, Aurora, Newmarket, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information.