Heat Pump Installation Ottawa
Nearly 2/3 of the energy consumed in Canadian homes is used for heating and cooling, especially given our cold winters and hot summers.
Heat pumps for heating and cooling our homes allow for a significant reduction in our energy consumption.
A heat pump extracts heat from the cold outside air and transfers it to inside our home.
A compressor uses electricity to increase the temperature of the heat extracted from the outside air.
Heat pumps also provide cooling by transferring warm indoor air to the outside.
The energy provided by the outside air is free: consumers only pay for the electricity used by the compressor.
Book a free consultation with Francis Home Environment today for more information on how a heat pump in Ottawa can benefit you and your family!
Heat Pump Ottawa
Keep your home and family comfortable all year long by ensuring your heat pump is operating as optimally as possible. With over 85 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry, Francis Home Environment has worked with thousands of homeowners throughout the city of Ottawa to ensure their home is energy efficient. Our team of heat pump technicians has the expertise and knowledge to provide you with high-quality customer service, 24/7 emergency solutions, and long-lasting results that will have you back enjoying the comforts of your home in no time.
Partner with a heat pump company in Ottawa you know has your best interests in mind so you, as a homeowner, can have peace of mind knowing your home is in good hands.
Call us directly or book a free consultation online for any repairs, maintenance, and installations of heat pumps with Francis Home Environment today!
Go Electric With Home Heat Pumps
Convenient, cost-effective & efficient, heat pumps offer a 2-in-1 home comfort solution, helping you stay cool through the summer and warm through the winter – all while saving big on energy costs.
If you’re looking to switch from a propane, oil or gas-based system, heat pumps provide a perfect 2-in-1 combo – plus the potential for big dollars back.
Contact a Home Comfort Advisor to learn more about your eligibility today!
Why Make the Switch to a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps offer several advantages over traditional central home heating & air conditioning systems, including more energy & cost savings, a greener home, hybrid comfort and more.
More efficiency, more savings.
As we’ve mentioned, heat pumps are a highly energy efficient source of home comfort; they run on electricity, rather than gas, making them a much better choice for saving both energy & money every month.
A 2-in-1 home comfort combo.
One of the best benefits of heat pumps is their ability to act as a 2-in-1 home heating & cooling system: they keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer – simple as that!
Heat pumps work by absorbing & transferring heat energy from one source (outside your home) to another (inside your home). This is how they keep you warm in the winter.
In the summer, the process is simply reversed: the heat pump will find heat from inside your home, absorb it, and send it outside.
The end result: a year-round home heating and cooling solution in one package.
Long lasting system.
The average lifespan of a heat pump is approximately 15 years, which gives you a solid amount of time to enjoy the benefits of affordable year-round home comfort without worrying about reaching into your wallet for a full replacement.
Properly maintained and given regular tune-ups, heat pumps will provide you with a long life of worry-free, quality home heating & cooling service.
Ducted or ductless? We do both.
There are a variety of ways in which you can convert your home to heat pump technology, but the bottom line is that we can install heat pumps in homes with both ducted & ductless systems, as well as in homes with an electric baseboard system.
With so many options, we make switching to a more energy efficient & cost-effective solution like heat pumps simple.
Options for improved indoor air quality.
On top of the advantages of hybrid comfort, energy efficiency, cost savings & a long lifespan, heat pumps also offer options for improved indoor air quality: many units can provide air flow & dehumidifying, as well as enhanced filtration, to help you & your family breathe easier at home.
Contact Francis Home for a new heat pump installation!
How Do Heat Pump Rebates and Savings Work?
You may be eligible for rebates with the purchase & installation of a home heat pump system.
Contact Francis Home for a new heat pump installation!
FAQs
Do Heat Pumps Work in Ottawa Winters?
Yes, a heat pump will help heat your home during Ottawa winters, no matter how cold it may get. In fact, your heat pump can also serve to cool your home during the summer, which is why they are a popular choice amongst homeowners due to their two-in-one advantage that provides the best of both worlds.
A type of unit that is a part of your home’s overall HVAC system, a heat pump is a two-component unit that uses refrigeration coolant and an electrical power source from your home to transport heat to your home during the winter. A condenser unit is typically installed on the exterior of your home. This condenser unit is accountable for generating the heat. On the other hand, the second unit, which is located on the inside of your home, is responsible for pushing warm air into each of your rooms through your ductwork and vents, according to your thermostat setting.
To deliver heat to your home, your heat pump will draw heat from the air or ground outside of your home before transporting it to the refrigeration substance stored within your outdoor unit. This refrigeration coolant is then compressed in the unit to increase the temperature of the air. Once this happens, the refrigeration fluid is transferred to the indoor unit installed on the interior of your home –ultimately transporting the collected air over the heating refrigerant in your second unit to increase the temperature and heat your home.
On the other hand, as mentioned, your heat pump can also be used to cool your home during the summer months by reversing the processes we’ve detailed above. Essentially, rather than extracting warmth from the outside air or from the ground, it will pull heated air from inside your home before extracting heat from it and ejecting it to the outside of your home.
During this process, your heat pump will also dehumidify your home to prevent the growth of mold and mildew inside the home. This happens as the moisture in the air passes through your unit’s indoor coils before it becomes condensation and collects in a pan which is then drained to the outside of your home.
Benefits of having a heat pump installed in your home include:
- Less overall maintenance throughout the years compared to other HVAC units.
- Heat pumps have lower operating costs than other types of HVAC units.
- These systems are generally safer to operate throughout your home compared to others as they do not use a combustion process.
- It can be used to heat and cool your home.
- Has a longer lifespan than other units, with up to 20 years of heating and the cooling ability for you and your home.
- Works to reduce your home’s carbon emissions, meaning you can maximize your home’s energy efficiency.
- These types of HVAC units are compact and great for small spaces.
Are you thinking of installing a heat pump in your home in Ottawa? With the help of the team at Francis Home Environment, we’ll guide you through the entire installation process from start to finish so you can have a stress-free experience with our technicians before getting back to your regular routine in no time.
Are There Different Types of Heat Pumps
There are many different types of heat pumps for homeowners to choose from, including air-to-air heat pumps, water-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, hybrid heat pumps, and duct or ductless heat pumps. Let’s take a closer look at each one so you can have a better idea about how each of them functions.
Air Source Heat Pump
Air source heat pumps to heat your home by drawing heat from the air located on the outside of your property before transporting it to the refrigeration substance stored within your outdoor unit. This refrigeration substance is then compressed in the unit to increase the temperature of the air. Following this step, the refrigeration fluid is moved to the second system that is installed inside your home. Transferring the air over the heating refrigerant in your second unit increases the overall temperature of the air before it is pushed through our ductwork and into your home.
Water Source Heat Pump
Water source heat pumps function by pulling heat from a water source before transforming it into valuable power to warm your residence. This energy-efficient HVAC system uses a sequence of submerged tubes that contain a functional liquid to pull the heat from the water before it is transported through a compressor to increase the temperature before it is pushed into your home through your ductwork.
Geothermal Heat Pump
A geothermal heat pump functions by removing the heat from the ground. In contrast, it will remove heat from your home to cool your home before pushing it out to your home. The heating and cooling process is the same as the air-source heat pump. The only difference, however, is the source of the heat.
Duct and Ductless Heat Pumps
Further, there are also options for duct and ductless heat pumps. While duct heat pumps will work with your home’s current air ducts, a ductless system can have numerous heat pumps that push the heat directly into each room from a separate indoor unit.
Hybrid Heat Pumps
Hybrid heat pumps work in conjunction with another HVAC unit, such as a furnace. This is a viable option for homeowners who live in climates that are extremely cold during the winter. By having a backup heating unit for your home, you will never have to worry about heating your home during below-freezing temperatures, as your furnace will kick in if the heat pump is able to draw enough heat from the outside air.
As you can see, the options for a heat pump in Ottawa provide homeowners with the ability to select a unit that works best for the unique features of their home. To learn more about how Francis Home Environment can help you choose the right heat pump for your home, give us a call at any time to book a free home consultation with one of our heat pump experts!
Regardless of the type, your home’s heat pump is made of the following parts:
- Compressor
- Evaporator and Condenser Heat Exchange Coils
- Refrigerant Liquid
- Accumulator
- Crankcase Heater
- Blower Motors
- Reversing Valve
- Expansion Device
- Electronic Controls
- Thermostat
- Air Duct System
- Thermostatic Exemption Valve
- And more!
Do I Need to Worry About Sizing a Heat Pump?
Yes, the size of your heat pump in accordance with the unique features of your home is essential. A faulty heat pump for your home, whether too small or too large, will likely cause you to look for more power than necessary to accurately heat and cool your home. As a result, your energy bills each month can skyrocket, costing you more money. Therefore, before installing a new heat pump in Ottawa, it is essential that homeowners consult with a professional HVAC company such as Francis Home Environment, who can provide professional suggestions based on your home and how it is set up.
Here are some of the factors our professional HVAC technicians will consider before helping you choose the right sized heat pump for your home:
- The local climate during the summer and winter months is when you are more likely to use your heat pump. Generally speaking, a home located in colder weather will require a larger heat pump than a home that is located in a milder climate.
- The total square footage of your home.
- The location of the windows throughout your home. We will also take into account the quality of your windows.
- The quality of your home’s insulation.
- The age of your home.
- Your home’s air filtration.
- The type and style of heat pump you want to install into your home.
- Your personal preferences for the ideal temperature throughout your home.
- The total number of people who live in your home.
- The type and style of heat-generating appliances in your home.
Once these factors have been considered, a Francis Home Environment technician will calculate the number of BTUs, also known as British Thermal Units, needed to optimally heat and cool your home while being as energy efficient as possible.
British thermal Units is the amount of energy required to increase the temperature of one pound of water. The number of units will then directly equate to the size of the heat pump you need for your home.
How Often Should I Perform Maintenance on My Heat Pump?
Generally speaking, homeowners should hire a professional company to service their heat pump at least once a year. However, if the heat pump in your home is used for heating and cooling, then we suggest booking a maintenance service twice a year. Homeowners will want to service their heat pump in Ottawa in the early fall and early spring to ensure their HVAC unit is working optimally before the colder and warmer months of the year. That way, you can rest assured knowing your home is functioning efficiently while helping you save money on your monthly energy bill.
There are numerous benefits to servicing your heat pump at least once or twice a year, depending on your needs. However, one of the most essential benefits of proactive maintenance is the ability to catch potential problems before they create more significant issues throughout your HVAC system that can be more costly.
Furthermore, other benefits to committing to regular maintenance on your HVAC system include:
- Extending the lifespan of your heat pump.
- Ensuring the air quality of your home is clean and free of dust, dirt, hair, and other debris that can cause allergies and other respiratory problems.
- Make sure your heat pump warranty coverage is untouched and ready for more severe issues that are otherwise not preventable.
- Extending the functioning and lifespan of individual parts to your heat pump system.
At Francis Home Environment, we understand that life can get busy. Because of this, your heat pump and the remainder of your HVAC system in your home can take a back seat to other types of home maintenance projects.
Nonetheless, without regular maintenance, your heat pump can suffer from various kinds of damage, including:
- Refrigerant leaks which can affect your heat pump’s ability to heat and cool your home.
- Short-circuiting of your heat pump’s electrical features can result in short cycles of heating and cooling, the inability to start your heat pump, and sparks that could result in electrocution.
- The inability to function in freezing weather which can prevent homeowners from heating their homes to keep their families comfortable. This is especially true if you do not have a backup heating unit installed within your home.
- Without regular maintenance, you can end up damaging your compressor, which will directly affect the airflow between your indoor and outdoor units that create your heat pump system. As a result, you will have difficulties heating or cooling your home.
Heat pump maintenance includes but is not limited to the following services that one of our professional heat pump technicians will perform efficiently and thoroughly at your property:
- Checking for leaks.
- Inspecting ducts, filters, and all other individual mechanisms for damage.
- Testing your thermostat to ensure it is accurate.
- Inspection of your outdoor condenser to ensure it is clean.
- Review of all electrical wiring.
- Checking over the defrost cycle of your heat pump unit.
- Flushing out and cleaning the drainage line.
- Cleaning of your indoor coil.
- Checking refrigerant levels.
- Inspection of heat pump belts to ensure they are tight and do not have any wear or tear on them.
Are you overdue for maintenance on your heat pump in Ottawa? If the answer is yes, then the team at Francis Home Environment is ready to help you. Whether you require repairs, are fulfilling your maintenance obligations, or are considering installing a new heat pump into your home, with the knowledge and expertise of our leading technicians will guide you through the entire process for a stress-free experience from start to finish.
We’re also happy to offer all Ottawa homeowners financing available when purchasing a new HVAC system!
Call and book a consultation with Francis Home Environment today!
Our FAQS
Providing You With Answers & Solutions
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What is the Difference Between HVAC and Furnace?
Again, this is another common question that we often receive from homeowners who are looking to install a new HVAC system into their homes. While an HVAC unit is responsible for heating, cooling, or ventilating your home, a furnace is simply a type of heating unit that comprises the home’s overall HVAC system. A furnace is either powered by electricity or natural gas. If you have natural gas in your home already, then chances are your furnace is also powered using this method compared to electricity.
Further, regardless of the type of power used, the energy will produce heat onto a burner. The produced heat is then moved through what is known as a heat exchanger. The warmed air is then transferred out of your furnace system using your home’s ductwork before diffusing into each room of your home through air vents. At the same time, as your furnace produces heat, the combustion gasses created to do so are safely vented outside of your home using a flue pipe to ensure you do not come in contact with any carbon monoxide.
The main components of your furnace system include:
- The control system, also known as the thermostat
- Gas valves
- Burners
- Heat exchangers
- A motor blower
- Ducts
- Ventilation system
- Flue pipe
Together, they work to heat your thermostat to your liking regardless of what time of year it is.
Are you thinking of installing a furnace in your home? Do you need repair or maintenance services for your furnace? Call us directly or book an appointment with Francis Home Environment today for more information on all HVAC.
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What is the Difference Between AC and HVAC?
This is a common question we receive from homeowners who are looking to install a new HVAC unit into their home, as there is some confusion about what each unit is. Therefore, to provide you with clarity, let’s take a look at what these differences are in more detail.
Simply put, an HVAC unit is a heating, cooling, and air ventilating unit that is installed in your home. It allows homeowners to control the temperature inside their home to their preferences using a thermostat. This thermostat works to either increase or decrease the temperature. It also allows you to monitor your indoor temperature and set schedules for your heating and cooling cycles.
On the other hand, an HVAC unit is in charge of circulating air inside your home. As a result, it helps homeowners keep their indoor air clean by removing any dust, hair, dirt, and other airborne contaminants that can affect your health. In addition, it also helps ensure your indoor air quality is not stagnant. Generally speaking, HVAC units will fall into these categories.
- Air conditioners
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- UV air purifiers
- Humidifiers
- Water heaters
- Furnace
As you can see, an air conditioner is a type of HVAC unit responsible for heating your home. These can either be ductless or work using the ductwork of your home. The air conditioning unit will draw hot air into your home’s ductwork through a vent before it is drawn into your unit’s compartment. If you have a ductless system, it will draw air from the outside of your home before it is drawn into its compartment. The warm air is cooled using a refrigerant liquid that removes the heat from the air before it is blown back into your home using ductwork or through a vent on your air conditioning unit. The process of cooling the air is continued until the desired temperature set on your thermostat has been reached.
The main components of your home’s air conditioning unit include:
- Refrigerant
- Compressor
- Condenser coils
- Air ducts, if applicable to your home
- Expansion valve
- Evaporator coil
AS you can see, it is easy to get these two systems mixed as they are technically the same thing, yet they are different as well. Therefore, if you want to learn more about installing an air conditioning unit in your home or require repair or maintenance services for your home’s current air conditioning unit, the team at Francis Home Environment is here to help.
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How Much Does HVAC Installation Cost in Ottawa?
At Francis Home Environment, we recognize that every homeowner and home is different. And with over 85 years in the industry, we can confirm that when it comes to installing an HVAC into your home in Ottawa, there isn’t a one size fits all solution. Therefore, before we are able to provide you with an installation cost for a new HVAC in Ottawa, homeowners must first schedule a free at-home consultation with one of our technicians.
During your consultation, a professional HVAC technician will listen to your unique needs as a homeowner before conducting a thorough inspection of your property. Once this is complete, a Francis Home Environment professional will be able to provide you with suggestions and recommendations on how to maximize your home’s energy efficiency while staying within your budget.
Therefore, while we are unable to provide you with an installation cost online, we can provide you with a list of factors that will ultimately play a role in the final price so you can have a better understanding of what to inspect.
Here is a closer look at some of these essential factors unique to your home and lifestyle:
- The type of HVAC system you wish to install into your home.
- The type of HVAC system currently installed on your property.
- The scope of the project at hand.
- The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of the HVAC unit you need for your home to operate as efficiently as possible.
- The cost of labor relative to the size of your project.
- The installation techniques needed to connect your new HVAC unit based on the size, layout, and other factors of your home.
Another important consideration that will help us determine the appropriate size of your HVAC unit is the number of British Thermal Units (BTUs) required to heat and cool your home. This energy unit measures how much power it takes to heat one pound of water. Each HVAC unit has a different BTU number. This number is determined by:
- The age of your home.
- The quality of your home’s insulation, in addition to its heat gain and loss.
- The total square footage of your home.
- The layout of the rooms and floors throughout your home.
- The style and quality of ductwork you have installed in your home.
- The height of your ceilings.
As you can see, choosing the correct HVAC unit for your home, along with the process of installation, are pretty complicated. As such, it’s common for homeowners to feel overwhelmed, especially when they do not have professional guidance to rely on. For example, without the professional advice of an HVAC company, you risk installing a unit into your home that is either too small or too large for your home. When this occurs, you will inevitably use more power to cool and heat your home than is required. In the end, it will end up costing you more money on your monthly energy bill. In addition, with a system that is the wrong size, you risk causing damage to your home that can end up costing you money over time as well.
However, with the help of Francis Home Environment and our licensed, expert HVAC technicians, we’ll work with you closely from start to finish to ensure you feel well-informed and confident in the decisions made for your home from start to finish. Regardless of the type of project at hand, Francis Home Environment has your best interests in mind, so you can rest assured knowing your home is in good hands.
At Francis Home Environment, we’re happy to offer all Ottawa homeowners financing when purchasing a new HVAC system!
For more information on installation costs and choosing an HVAC in Ottawa that will optimize your home’s energy efficiency based on the unique features of your home, call us directly or book a free consultation with Francis Home Environment today so we can get you back to enjoying your home in no time.
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What to Look for in an HVAC Servicing Company?
When it comes to choosing a company to partner with for your HVAC services, sometimes, it can be not easy to select one that is reliable enough to get the job done right the first time. Therefore, it is essential that homeowners do their due diligence and research before signing a contract with any HVAC servicing company, as it can end up costing them more money in the long run if something is not repaired or installed correctly.
Therefore, to ensure that homeowners feel well-informed when making their decision, here are some of the most critical factors that you should look for in an HVAC servicing company that prove they are trustworthy and suitable for the job:
Years of Experience
One of the first and most important factors in choosing the right company for your HVAC services is choosing a business that has years of experience. While newer companies may provide quality work, it can lead to a hit or miss scenario. On the other hand, a company with years of experience has the knowledge and skills to keep a business up and running for an extended period of time.
Positive Customer Reviews
The most telling sign that a business is reliable with its ability to offer you quality results is positive customer reviews. Customers are what make any business successful. Therefore, if the company has positive testimonials on its website and other social media pages from previous clients, then you can feel confident that what they are saying is true.
Proper Licensing
All HVAC technicians and companies in Ottawa are required to have all the proper licenses and certifications to operate legally. Therefore, if you are looking for more confirmation that a company you’re thinking of working with is legitimate, ask them for proof of documentation to ensure that it is accurate and valid.
Insurance/Warranty on Services
Further, the company you choose to partner with should also come with insurance and/or warranty on all services they offer. That way, if something should go wrong, you can rest assured knowing that you will not be reliable to pay for any repairs or modifications once a technician has finished servicing your home.
Get a Free Quote
Companies that are unwilling to give homeowners free quotes should not be trusted. A professional company should provide you with a free estimate on the services you need, and all costs should be confirmed before any work is conducted in your home.
What Homeowners Say About Us
4.9 Stars On Google From Over 4,100 Homeowners
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“Professional, friendly and efficient. He diagnosed the issue within seconds and had it fixed within minutes. He gave our system a thorough checkover after completion and had lots of useful advice for cheap maintenance and care.” - David C.
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“We have been dealing with them for years and always have a good experience. I highly recommend Francis.” - Laura P.
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“I own a home that was built in the 1960s and this team was able to find a solution for every problem that came up.” - J.W.
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“The technician worked extremely hard to troubleshoot the issue in our extremely warm house. He utilized another team member via video call to assist him with the technology.” - Marshall M.
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“A team that works well together, pleasure to have them in our home. This is the second big job done by Francis Fuels here, not one complaint. Good products, great reliable service and to top it off, friendly, kind and respectful.” - Catherine L.
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“Service has always been top-notch for the many years we have been with them. Highly recommended for both service and installation of equipment and add-ons.” - Arthur W.
The Francis Home Environment Difference
Certified Technicians Providing Exceptional Service
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We guarantee all of our installations, for a peaceful home and mind.
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Francis Home Environment has been serving families in Ottawa and the surrounding area since 1933.
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We’ve been serving local families for over eighty-five years, which shows both our dedication and experience.
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We offer ‘round-the-clock service so that you’re always covered.