One of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home
Heat Pumps
GET TO KNOW HEAT PUMPS
Heat pumps will heat, cool and dehumidify your home, keeping you perfectly comfortable year-round. They’ll also save money and energy as they’re much more efficient than traditional heating methods, and twice as efficient as traditional oil systems.
BENEFITS
Save Money and Energy
They are the most efficient way to heat your home since they move hot and cold air around rather than produce it.
Stay Warm in the Winter
While they're great at keeping you cool in the summer, heat pumps are also an efficient way to keep you warm in the winter.
Cleaner Air
They have the added benefit of improving air quality in your home as they filter things like dust and allergens.
TYPES OF HEAT PUMPS
Whether you need to heat or cool a specific room, or need a solution for your whole home, there’s a heat pump to fit your needs. The type of system you choose will depend on your home, the type of heating system your home currently has, and if you’re building new. The best way to find the right system for your home is with a licensed, preferred contractor.
Ductless Systems (“Mini-Splits”)
If your home is heated using baseboards, hot water, wood heat or older-style hot water radiators, then your home most likely doesn't have ductwork throughout it. In this case, a ductless mini-split system might be perfect. In a ductless system, indoor units are wall-mounted in the rooms they will heat and cool.
Ducted Systems
If your home had a traditional oil forced air heat, or if you're building new, then a ducted heat pump might be right for you. This system takes advantage of your existing forced air ductwork and distributes heated (or cooled) air through it. An outdoor unit extracts heat from their air (even in the winter), which is connected to an indoor unit to distribute the air throughout the home.
Geothermal
Most heat pumps are "air source", which means they use the air outside of the home whereas geothermal systems are "ground source". Rather than using the outside air, geothermal systems take heat from (and dump heat into) the ground.
Typically, geothermal heat pump systems are considered for new construction, rather than an add-on to an existing system or home.
Did You Know?
Heat pumps paired with electrical thermal storage (ETS) can save you even more. Ask your contractor if ETS is a good addition for your home.
HEAT PUMP INSTALLATION COSTS AND REBATES
Additional Information
Purchase and Installation Costs
Switching to a heat pump is often easier and less expensive than you might think. The average cost of an installed ductless heat pump with one indoor heating/cooling zone is between $3,500 and $5,000. Additional heating zones and greater heating capacities will increase the cost of the system. Other factors that will affect the cost of an installed system include the brand, model, warranty and installation requirements. We recommend you get at least three quotes from qualified contractors.
Installation and Rebates
We work with a network of trusted contractors who can help to install your heat pump. From scheduling a home visit, providing you with a quote to installing your new heat pump, our contractors are there every step of the way. Some of our participating contractors offer rebates on the heat pumps they install. See current offers here.
Efficiency One - the independent, non-profit organization that oversees energy efficiency programs in Nova Scotia - offers incentives on heat pumps. For more information visit efficiencyns.ca or call 1-877-999-6035.
Contractor Spotlight
To acknowledge the fantastic work being done by Nova Scotian contractors, we introduced the Heat Pump Contractor Recognition Program in 2017. Each quarter the award is presented to a qualifying contractor who exemplifies outstanding customer satisfaction, safety, quality installation and attention to detail.
We’re proud to present our Q1 2022 winner: Greenfoot Energy Solutions. Congratulations!
