A Homeowner’s Guide to Heat Pumps in Ottawa

Here in Canada, we’re accustomed to weather at its most extreme. For homeowners in Ottawa, maintaining a comfortable home through sweltering summers and frigid winters is a key priority. You are likely familiar with furnaces and air conditioners, but what if a single, highly efficient system could both heat and cool your home? This is what a heat pump offers, and it’s a proven technology that is becoming more and more popular across Canada.

This guide will break down the what, why, and how of this all-in-one comfort solution.

The WHAT: Understanding Heat Pumps

At its core, a heat pump is a versatile HVAC system that acts as a heat transporter, moving heat from one place to another.

• During the winter, it pulls heat from the outside air and moves it inside your home to keep you warm. It can do this even when it’s cold outside.
• In the summer, the process reverses. It takes heat from inside your home and moves it outside, leaving your living space cool and comfortable.

The WHY: The Benefits of a Heat Pump

The greatest advantage of a heat pump is its remarkable energy efficiency. Because heat pumps move existing heat rather than generating it, they use significantly less power. This allows you to enjoy a comfortable home while saving money on energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint.

Other key benefits include:

• Year-Round Comfort: You get a single system for both heating and cooling.
• Eco-Friendly: A heat pump reduces your home’s carbon footprint.
• Government Rebates: The Canadian government and various provinces may offer rebates for homeowners who switch to a heat pump.

The HOW: The Science Behind the System

The “magic” of a heat pump is its ability to reverse the flow of refrigerant, a special fluid that absorbs and releases heat.

Heating Your Home:

1. The outdoor unit’s fan blows cold air over its coil, and the refrigerant inside absorbs heat from that air.
2. This refrigerant is then put through a compressor, which increases its pressure and, in turn, its temperature.
3. The hot, pressurized refrigerant is pumped to the indoor unit. As the indoor fan blows air over the coil, heat is transferred to the air, which then circulates throughout your home.
4. As it loses heat, the refrigerant cools and returns to the outdoor unit to start the process over.

Cooling Your Home: To cool your home, the heat pump reverses this process. A key component called the reversing valve changes the direction of the refrigerant’s flow. The indoor unit’s coil absorbs heat from your indoor air, which also naturally dehumidifies it. This heat is then moved to the outdoor unit and released outside.

A Note on Ottawa Winters

There is a common misconception that heat pumps are only suitable for milder climates. While this may have been true for older models, today’s cold-climate heat pumps are specifically designed for Canadian winters. These advanced systems can operate efficiently in temperatures as low as -30°C.

For the few days a year when temperatures are extremely low, many homeowners opt for a dual-fuel system. This pairs a heat pump with a high-efficiency furnace. The heat pump handles most of the heating and cooling, and the furnace automatically kicks in as a supplementary heat source only when absolutely needed. This ensures you stay warm and comfortable no matter the weather.

Is a Heat Pump Right for You?

If you want a versatile, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly way to keep your home comfortable, a heat pump is an excellent choice. At Francis Home, we are experts in heat pump installation and service. Our knowledgeable team can help you determine the right size and type of heat pump for your home and answer any questions you may have.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.