Ten years ago many homeowners in the GTA were told that heat pumps "stop working" below freezing. Modern cold-climate models are a different technology: they are designed to keep heating efficiently at outdoor temperatures far below zero.
How a heat pump heats when it is cold outside
Even cold air contains heat. A heat pump uses refrigerant and a compressor to collect that heat outdoors and move it inside. Cold-climate units use variable-speed compressors and refrigerants designed to keep doing this efficiently on cold days.
Sizing is everything
The most common reason a heat pump disappoints is incorrect sizing. We calculate the heat loss of your home room by room, so the system can cover your real heating demand on a design-temperature day.
When to keep a backup
For older, draftier homes, a hybrid system — a heat pump paired with a gas furnace — is often the best of both worlds. The heat pump does most of the work, and the furnace takes over on the coldest nights.
The bottom line
A properly sized cold-climate heat pump can heat most GTA homes comfortably all winter. Book a free on-site visit and we will tell you honestly whether a full heat pump or a hybrid system is right for your house.
