Join the growing number of Canadian homeowners who have switched from oil heating to electric heat pumps to save money on their energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Heat pumps can provide heating and cooling in your home. Retrofitting your home heating system can be a worthwhile investment to improve your comfort throughout each season.
Review the types of heat pumps eligible for funding and learn about important factors when it comes to choosing, sizing and installing, operating, and maintaining a heat pump.
Where do I start?
Review the types of heat pumps eligible for funding
The Oil to Heat Pump Affordability (OHPA) program provides funding to eligible homeowners, currently heating their homes with oil, to help them transition to an electric heat pump system.
The following heat pumps are eligible for funding under the OHPA program:
Air source heat pumps
Air-source heat pumps are the most common type of heat pump available in Canada. Air-source heat pumps work by drawing heat from the outside air to keep your home warm during cold months and by expelling heat to the outside to help keep your home cool during warm months.
Supplemental heating (for example: electric furnace, baseboard heater, boiler, etc.) may be required when outdoor temperatures are between –10C to –15C).
Proper selection, sizing and installation of these systems is critical to maximize energy savings. Undersizing or oversizing can result in more costly and less efficient systems.
These systems are up to 2.5 times more efficient than an oil furnace or boiler and are a proven and reliable way to significantly reduce your energy use.
Cold climate air source heat pumps
Cold climate heat pumps are air source heat pumps that are adapted to the harsh Canadian climate. They can operate when outdoor air temperatures are as cold as -30°C, making them more efficient at heating at a wider range of temperatures than conventional air source heat pumps. If outdoor temperatures become colder than –30C, supplemental heating may be required (for example: electric furnace, baseboard heater, boiler, etc.). In addition to heating, these systems can help cool your home during warmer months.
Proper selection, sizing and installation of these systems is critical to maximize energy savings. Undersizing or oversizing can result in more costly and less efficient systems.
Cold climate systems can help your home achieve even greater energy savings by reaching efficiencies up to 3 times higher than an oil furnace or boiler.
Ground source heat pumps
A ground-source heat pump uses the earth, ground water, or both as the source of heat during cold months, and as a reservoir to expel heat from the home during warm months. These heat pumps are less common than air-source units but are becoming more widely used across Canada.
These systems can operate more efficiently than air-source systems, achieving efficiencies up to 3.5 times higher than an oil furnace or boiler.
The design and installation of a ground source heat pump must be completed according to the CSA C448 standard to ensure it meets specific safety, reliability, and efficiency criteria.
Ensure your selected heat pump is eligible for funding
Consult with your mechanical contractor to ensure that the recommended heat pump is eligible for funding from the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program. Confirm that the heat pump can be found in one of the eligible products searchable lists and meets the mandatory conditions for this program.
Watch this video to learn how to use the eligible product searchable list.
Transcript
This video explains how to use the eligible product searchable list to confirm if the Air Source Heat Pump, Cold Climate Air source Heat Pump, or Ground Source Heat Pump that was recommended by your contractor is eligible under the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.
Before you start your search, ask your contractor to provide you with the AHRI number as well as the make and model of all the components of the heat pump system you are planning to install.
AHRI stands for the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute.
Each unique heat pump system is assigned with its own AHRI number.
Searching with the AHRI number is the easiest way to use the eligible product list.
Keep in mind that although all tested heat pump systems have an AHRI number, this does not mean that any heat pump with an AHRI number will be eligible for the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.
This video will show seven examples of what your search results might look like, depending on the type of heat pump system you are searching for.
You may see the terms such as ASHP, ccASHP, GSHP, and OHPA when searching for an eligible product.
These are the short forms for ENERGY STAR® Air Source Heat Pump, Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump, Ground Source Heat Pump and Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, respectively.
Start from the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program eligibility page, then scroll down to the Eligible Product List section, where you'll find eligible product lists.
Before clicking through to the eligible product lists, take some time to review the eligibility criteria and program requirements on this webpage, to confirm you meet all of the criteria to be eligible for a heat pump grant.
Next, select the eligible product list for the type of heat pump you are installing (Air Source Heat Pump and Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump or Ground Source Heat Pump).
If you live in British Columbia or Nova Scotia, be sure to select the list specifically for your province, if applicable.
Now that you are on the right eligible product list for you, go to the section Product Specific Criteria found at the bottom of the page and in the “AHRI/Verification Reference” field enter the number provided by your system contractor.
Press the Search button.
A new window will appear showing the heat pump associated with the AHRI number that you just entered.
Now let's take a look at some examples of what your search results might look like, depending on the type of heat pump system you are searching for.
Since AHRI numbers are unique to individual heat pump systems, each number will have a different result.
In this first example, the heat pump system appears on the screen, which means it is listed on the eligible product list.
The result shows a model number for both the outside and inside units.
In this case, to be eligible, both units listed on the same line under the outside model and inside model must be installed together.
For more detailed information about this heat pump, select the link listed under the brand column.
A new window will appear that shows the product details.
Always be sure to review your quote details to confirm that the information provided by your contractor matches the information on the eligible product list.
The make and model of the outside and inside units provided by your contractor must be the same as what appears in the search results, and the ducting configuration must also match.
In this example, the information provided by the contractor matches the information in the search result.
In quote details, you can also identify whether this is a Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump (ccASHP) or not.
If you see the abbreviation ccASHP in the product group row, this means that it is a Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump.
If you see ASHP, this means it is an ENERGY STAR® certified Air Source Heat Pump.
In this example, this system is a Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump and not an ENERGY STAR® certified Air Source Heat Pump.
Next, let's take a look at the second example.
Again, this heat pump shows as listed on the eligible product list.
This is an example of a search result for a Multi-Split Heat Pump system.
You will notice that the search results show a model number for an outside unit, but does not show a model number for an inside unit.
This is because for a Multi-Split Heat Pump, the outside unit can be paired with two or more compatible inside units.
Next, click on the brand link to verify that the product details match the information provided by your contractor.
Multi-Split systems can have different ducting configurations, and not all compatible units meet the criteria of the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.
It's important to ensure that the indoor type/ducting configuration in the product details matches the information provided by your contractor.
Consult with your contractor to confirm which inside unit combinations meet the criteria.
This third example shows another centrally ducted product called Coils Only.
In this example, both the outside model and inside model listed on the same line must be installed together and paired only with a new compatible natural gas, propane or electric furnace.
Under the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, a Coils Only product paired with an oil furnace is not eligible.
Additional guidance regarding a Coils Only heat pump can be found on the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program website on the “eligibility criteria” page, shown at the start of this video.
This fourth example shows a central ducted system.
These systems consist of an outside unit, an inside unit, and a gas furnace.
These systems are called Hybrid Heat Pumps because they work in combination with a gas furnace as a supplemental heat source to be eligible.
All of the components listed on the same line under the outside model, inside model and furnace must be installed together.
In this fifth example, you will see another central ducted system listed, but this time with no furnace.
This is because the indoor unit of this type of heat pump system is part of an electric air handler, which does not require a gas component as a supplemental heating system.
Many of these systems come with an integrated electric resistance heating system that functions as a backup system.
In this case, to be eligible, both units listed on the same line under the outside model and inside model must be installed together.
This sixth example shows a Ground Source Heat Pump system.
These systems are made up of three components – a ground loop system, an indoor heat pump unit, and a distribution system (for example, ducts or in floor tubing).
To be eligible, the indoor unit must be listed as an eligible product, and must be part of a new installation, not a replacement.
As you can see in this example, the indoor unit is listed on the eligible product list, and therefore this Ground Source Heat Pump system is eligible.
In this final example, the AHRI number does not return any search results.
If this happens, it is a good idea to double check the number you entered to make sure there isn't a typo.
If it is the right number, this means that the system identified under the AHRI number is not currently eligible.
You should contact your contractor to reconfirm the number.
The eligible product list is updated regularly, and contains details on heat pump systems that are eligible for a grant under the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program.
Using an AHRI number is the easiest way to find information on the exact system you are interested in.
Your contractor can provide you with the AHRI number.
We recommend obtaining at least three quotes to ensure you receive value for your money, and choose the best contractor for your project.
For more information about the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program and eligible products, visit our website at www.canada.ca/heatpumpcriteria
How do I select the right type of heat pump for a grant?
Consult a professional contractor
If you’re ready to make the switch from oil heating to an electric heat pump for improved home comfort and energy bill savings, it’s important to start a discussion with a mechanical system contractor. Contractors can determine the heating and cooling requirements of your home. They can help you select and install the right system for your home and help maintain your equipment to ensure efficient and reliable operation. They can also explain the financial aspects of purchasing and operating a heat pump and are able to provide an estimate of the potential savings you can achieve in your area, as savings may vary by region.
Sizing and installation
Consult a local heating and cooling professional to size, install, and maintain your equipment to ensure efficient and reliable operations.
Heat pumps vary in size and configuration. The heat pump must be sized accurately and capable of distributing heat to your entire home to be eligible for OHPA funding. Heat pumps must be installed by a qualified contractor.
A mechanical system contractor can help design a system that optimizes the energy savings for a house and increases the comfort of occupants. Based on the “house-as-a-system” principle, the design should account for the anticipated heat requirements including other planned energy efficiency upgrades to the building envelope (such as the installation of insulation or the replacement of windows or air sealing) to avoid oversizing the unit.
Use these questions to help guide the discussion with your contractor:
- Is this heat pump’s Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) number on one of the lists of products eligible for funding from the OHPA program?
- What is the model and the AHRI number of the heating and/or cooling system you are recommending?
- Use the model and the AHRI number provided by the mechanical system contractor to verify that the brand name and model numbers of the indoor and outdoor units are on one of the Eligible product lists.
- Does the recommended heat pump system meet the mandatory requirements for the OHPA program?
- How will you ensure the heat pump system is properly sized and capable of distributing heat throughout the entire house?
- NRCan’s Toolkit for air source heat pump sizing and selection is available for contractors.
- Will you agree to sign the mandatory attestation form after the heat pump system has been installed?
- Where will the indoor and outdoor heat pump units be installed?
- Is the heat pump system quiet? What is the sound level rating?
- What is the warranty on the equipment? Is there a warranty certificate?
What do I need to know after my new heat pump is installed?
Care and maintenance
Proper operation of your electric heat pump will save energy and money. Some important considerations to ensure the best performance from your heat pump are:
Like all heating and cooling systems, proper and regular maintenance is key to efficient operation. It is recommended to have a contractor perform annual maintenance on your heat pump to ensure everything is in good working order. A few other things you can do to ensure reliable and efficient operation are:
These considerations vary depending on your heat pump model. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Discover more useful information that will help you get the most out of your investment:
Air-source heat pumps:
- Operation Considerations
- Maintenance Considerations (clean filter, contractor visits)
Ground-source heat pumps:
- Operation Considerations
- Maintenance Considerations (clean filter, contractor visits)
More resources on heat pumps
- Podcast: A heated conversation on heat pumps - What are heat pumps? How do they work? Why is everyone talking about them? Are they right for you? Listen to find out.
- Heat pumps – Find the facts and watch the videos
- Heating and cooling with a heat pump – Learn more in this in-depth booklet about heat pump technologies