For most Ontario homes with ducts, a cold-climate heat pump heats efficiently down to well below freezing and also cools in summer, while a gas furnace costs less to buy and keeps working in the deepest cold. Many households pair the two: the heat pump does most of the year, and the furnace takes over on the coldest nights. Running costs depend on your local electricity and gas rates.
How do they compare?
| What matters | Cold-climate heat pump | Gas furnace | Both (dual fuel) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heats the home | Yes, efficiently to well below freezing | Yes, in any cold | Yes: heat pump first, furnace in deep cold |
| Cools in summer | Yes, it is also an air conditioner | No, needs a separate air conditioner | Yes |
| Price to install | Higher | Lower | Highest, unless the furnace is already there |
| Running cost | Lower in most of the season | Depends on gas prices | Usually the lowest overall |
| Emissions | Low | Higher | Low most of the year |
Which should you choose?
If your furnace is fewer than ten years old, adding a heat pump to the same ducts is often the simplest step. If you are replacing an old furnace and air conditioner together, a cold-climate heat pump on its own may be enough. We look at your home, your insulation and your bills before suggesting either.
Are there rebates?
Federal, provincial and utility programmes change often. We check what is open on the day we quote and fill in the forms with you.