Save at Least $350 a Year on Your Electricity Bill With a Heat Pump!
Are heat pumps really energy efficient? Will they actually reduce your heating and cooling costs?
The answer is yes—absolutely. And the savings can be substantial.
The reason is simple: heat pumps operate much more efficiently than conventional heating systems.
How Does a heat pump work?
Instead of generating heat using electricity, like electric baseboard heaters, a ductless or central heat pump transfers heat from one place to another.
During the winter, it captures thermal energy from the outdoor air, compresses it to increase its temperature and transfers that heat indoors to warm your home or business.
For every 1 kWh of electricity consumed, a heat pump can produce between 2.5 and 4 kWh of heating. This level of efficiency is measured by the coefficient of performance (COP), which typically ranges from 2.5 to 4, depending on the model and operating conditions.
In practical terms, this means a heat pump can be up to four times more efficient than electric baseboard heating. For example, if electric baseboards require 1,000 kWh of electricity to heat a home for one month, a heat pump may provide the same level of comfort while consuming only 300 to 400 kWh.
In cooling mode, the process works in reverse. Instead of producing cold air, the heat pump removes heat and humidity from inside the building and transfers them outdoors.
As a result, it generally uses 30% to 50% less electricity than a conventional air conditioner while providing the same cooling performance.
How does this technology reduce your electricity bill?
In Québec, heating often represents 50% to 60% of a home's annual electricity consumption. Because heat pumps operate so efficiently, they can have a significant impact on annual energy costs.
For an average home, annual savings typically range from $350 to $800, depending on factors such as the quality of the home's insulation, the size of the building and the heating system being replaced.
Commercial properties can also benefit from substantial reductions in both heating and cooling costs.
Another major advantage is the performance of today's cold-climate heat pumps.
Modern systems designed for northern climates continue to operate efficiently at outdoor temperatures between -20°C and -30°C. Only when temperatures drop below their operating range is supplemental heating, such as electric baseboards, generally required.
Even under these extremely cold conditions, heat pumps remain more efficient than electric resistance heating. Their coefficient of performance can still remain around 2, meaning they continue to produce approximately twice as much heating energy as the electricity they consume.
For homeowners and businesses looking to reduce energy costs while improving year-round comfort, investing in a high-efficiency heat pump is one of the most cost-effective upgrades available.
Heating system comparison
| Heating System | Energy Consumption | Energy Efficiency | Estimated Annual Cost* | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric baseboard heaters | High |
100% reference |
$$$$ | Fully electric heating system. Simple and reliable but generally more expensive to operate over the long term. |
| Oil furnace | Very high | 80% to 90% | $$$$ | Fuel costs are high and can fluctuate depending on market conditions. |
| Propane furnace | High | 85% to 95% | $$$ | More efficient than oil heating, but propane prices can vary. |
| Ductless heat pump | Low to moderate | 250% to 400% (COP of 2.5 to 4) | $$ | Transfers heat instead of generating it, significantly reducing energy consumption. |
| Central heat pump | Low to moderate | 250% to 400% (COP of 2.5 to 4) | $$ | Ideal for whole-home and commercial applications. Delivers outstanding energy efficiency. |
* Estimated annual operating costs ($$ to $$$$) are provided for general comparison purposes only. Actual costs vary depending on several factors, including building size, insulation, energy consumption habits, climate, utility rates and the actual performance of the equipment.
Financial assistance programs available
Several financial assistance programs, including Éconologis, Chauffez Vert and LogisVert, are available to help cover the purchase and installation of ductless and central heat pumps.
Combined with the long-term energy savings provided by a heat pump, these programs make the investment significantly more affordable and cost-effective.
Programs such as LogisVert can provide financial assistance toward the purchase and installation of an eligible heat pump. The amount varies depending on the model and may reach several thousand dollars.
For eligible low-income homeowners and tenants, the Éconologis program may provide a high-efficiency ductless heat pump at no cost, including professional installation.
The Chauffez vert program offers financial assistance to replace an oil- or propane-fired central heating system with a new energy-efficient heat pump.
When combined with the ongoing energy savings of a modern heat pump, these financial assistance programs make upgrading your heating and cooling system an even smarter long-term investment.