Forced-air electric furnace
Resistance heat elements with a multi-speed blower. The lowest up-front cost for all-electric forced air, best for small homes, cottages and backup duty.
Get a quoteElectric Furnaces & Air Handlers
Electric Furnaces and Air Handlers in Ontario
Central Heat for Homes Without Gas
No gas line? EHI installs electric furnaces and air handlers across Ontario, and we'll tell you straight when a heat pump with an air handler will cost less to run.
- Electric furnaces and Midea MAAHE/MAUHE air handlers, 2 to 5 ton
- ESA-licensed electrical work, 240V circuits and panel upgrades
- Honest running-cost comparison before you buy
- Heat pump + air handler qualifies for up to $7,500 in rebates
Voted Best Company 2019 to 2021 · Authorized Midea, Lennox, Kepler & Rinnai dealer, plus Goodman · 20+ years
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Who needs an electric furnace or air handler
There's no natural gas on your street
Rural homes, many lakeside and cottage-country properties and newer subdivisions built all-electric have no gas option. A forced-air electric furnace or an air handler heats the whole house through ducts with no tank, no delivery and no combustion.
You're tired of propane or oil deliveries
Switching to electric heat ends the fuel bills and the tank. Better still, a heat pump with an electric air handler cuts running costs well below electric resistance heat and qualifies for the top rebate tier.
Your condo or townhouse has electric heat and no AC
An air handler paired with a heat pump gives you central heating and cooling in one system, using the ducts you already have.
Baseboards keep the house uneven and the hydro bill high
Central forced air through an air handler moves heat where it's needed. Add a heat pump and the same air handler cools in summer.
Your old electric furnace has failed
Electric furnace repair is often a blown sequencer, element or blower motor. We repair when it makes sense, and quote a replacement or a heat pump upgrade when it doesn't.
You want to go all-electric and claim the rebate
A Midea EVOX G3 heat pump with a matched MAAHE or MAUHE air handler is all-electric, rated to -30°C, and can qualify for up to $7,500 through the Home Renovation Savings Program. See heat pump and electric air handler systems.
Sound familiar?
Describe the problem and we'll tell you what it usually is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's worth fixing.
Electric furnace vs heat pump with air handler: the honest math
An electric furnace makes heat with resistance coils, like a giant toaster. It's simple, reliable and 100% efficient at the point of use, but every unit of heat costs a full unit of electricity. On Ontario hydro rates, that makes it the most expensive way to heat a whole house.
A heat pump with an electric air handler moves heat from outside instead of making it. A cold-climate unit like the Midea EVOX G3 delivers two to three units of heat per unit of electricity, even in cold weather, and still has electric backup strips in the air handler for the coldest nights. Same ducts, same 240V panel work, a fraction of the running cost.
That's why, for most Ontario homes without gas, we recommend the heat pump and air handler. It also qualifies for the higher rebate tier, since the home is heated by electricity. We'll install a straight electric furnace when the budget or the property calls for it, and we'll say which is which.
Electric heating systems we install
Midea MAAHE/MAUHE air handler + EVOX G3 heat pump
Matched 2 to 5 ton air handler with variable-speed blower and built-in electric backup heat, paired with a cold-climate EVOX G3 outdoor unit. Heating to -30°C and cooling in one.
More on Midea MAAHE/MAUHE air handler + EVOX G3 heat pumpAir handler replacement
Already have a heat pump? We replace a failed or undersized air handler, match it to the outdoor unit and reset the airflow and backup heat staging.
More on Air handler replacementPanel upgrades and 240V circuits
ESA-licensed electricians handle the dedicated 240V circuit, disconnect and a 200 amp panel upgrade when the existing panel can't carry the load.
Ask about electricalNot sure which option fits your home?
Tell us about your house and we'll recommend the right system, with a guaranteed price and your rebate estimate.
Electrical requirements we check before install day
Electric heat draws real amperage. We confirm the panel can take it before we quote, so there are no surprises on install day.
- Panel capacity: electric furnaces and backup heat strips need a dedicated 240V circuit, often 60 amps or more depending on the kilowatt rating
- Service size: many older 100 amp panels can't carry an electric furnace plus a range, dryer and EV charger; a 200 amp upgrade may be needed
- Dedicated 240V circuit and outdoor disconnect for a heat pump, installed by ESA-licensed electricians
- Blower sizing and static pressure check on the existing ductwork
- Backup heat staging set so the strips run only when the heat pump needs help
- ESA inspection, permits where required and manufacturer warranty registration
Our work · 4 photos
Air handlers we've installed
Real jobs by our licensed crews in Ontario homes. Tap a photo to see it full size.
How an electric furnace or air handler installation works
- 1
Free assessment
We check your ducts, electrical panel and current heating, then show you the electric furnace and heat pump options with running-cost estimates.
- 2
Rebate pre-approval
If you choose the heat pump and air handler, we confirm eligibility and submit pre-approval before installation.
- 3
Install day
Most air handler installations take one day. A panel upgrade adds time, and our ESA-licensed electricians handle it.
- 4
Commissioning
We set blower speeds, backup heat staging and the thermostat, then walk you through running it efficiently through an Ontario winter.
Electric furnace and air handler cost
Guaranteed quote
Electric furnace installation cost and air handler installation cost depend on size, panel work and ductwork. Installed pricing depends on size and installation requirements, and your quote is guaranteed.
Rebates up to $7,500
A heat pump with an electric air handler in an electrically heated home can qualify for the top tier of the Home Renovation Savings Program. Confirm eligibility before installation.
0% financing
Interest-free for 3, 6 or 9 months, or open loans from 2.99% on approved credit.
Warranty
Up to 12 years parts and labour on select Midea systems when registered. See warranty details.
Want the real number for your home?
A guaranteed quote takes one visit. Rebate and financing options come with it.
Why Ontario homes and businesses choose EHI Heating And Cooling
20+ years in Ontario homes
We've installed through more January cold snaps and July heat waves than we can count. That experience shows up in the sizing, the ductwork and the little details.
Voted Best Company 2019 to 2021
HomeStars Verified. Our reviews come from real Ontario homeowners and business owners.
Authorized Midea, Lennox, Kepler and Rinnai dealer, plus Goodman
Factory-backed equipment, factory-backed warranties, and techs trained on the gear we install. We install and service Goodman too.
Guaranteed final pricing
The number on your quote is the number on your invoice. We may also beat comparable reputable quotes by up to 10%.
Rebate paperwork handled
Pre-approval, heat-loss calculation and documentation for the Home Renovation Savings Program. You just sign.
Licensed, certified crews
TSSA-certified gas technicians, licensed refrigeration techs and ESA-licensed electrical work on every job.
Ready when you are
Call us or send the form. Quotes are free, guaranteed and come with your rebate estimate.
HVAC service across Ontario
We're a service-area business. Our crews come to your home or business, from the GTA to Northern Ontario. Don't see your town? Call, we probably cover it.
Toronto and York Region
Simcoe, Muskoka and cottage country
Hamilton and Niagara
Southwestern Ontario
Eastern Ontario
Serving Ontario from our Stouffville office
Find us on Google, get directions, or check our hours. Our crews travel to your home or business across the province.
EHI Heating And Cooling (Efficient Home Improvements)
- Phone
1-647-694-5845 - Email
efficienthomecomfort@gmail.com - Service area
All of Ontario. See the cities we serve
Hours
- Monday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Tuesday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Wednesday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Thursday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Friday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Saturday8:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Sunday10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Emergency service available outside these hours.
- Office
4261 Bloomington Road, Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON L4A 3Y6
Frequently asked questions
What is an electric furnace?
An electric furnace is a forced-air heating unit that makes heat with electric resistance elements instead of burning gas, then pushes it through your ducts with a blower. It needs no gas line, chimney or fuel tank, but it costs more to run than a heat pump because every unit of heat uses a full unit of electricity.
How much does an electric furnace cost to install in Ontario?
Electric furnace installation cost in Ontario depends on the kilowatt rating, ductwork and whether your electrical panel needs an upgrade. EHI provides a guaranteed quote after a free assessment, and we'll show you the heat pump and air handler price beside it so you can compare running costs.
Is an electric furnace cheaper to run than a heat pump?
No. An electric furnace uses one unit of electricity for one unit of heat, while a cold-climate heat pump delivers two to three units of heat per unit of electricity. For most Ontario homes without gas, a heat pump with an electric air handler costs far less to run, and the furnace-style backup strips in the air handler still cover the coldest nights.
What is an air handler in HVAC?
An air handler is the indoor unit that moves air through your ducts for a heat pump or air conditioner. It holds the blower, the indoor coil and, in electric models like the Midea MAAHE and MAUHE, backup electric heat strips. It replaces the furnace in an all-electric system.
Do I need an electrical panel upgrade for electric heat?
Often, yes. An electric furnace or air handler with backup heat needs a dedicated 240V circuit, frequently 60 amps or more, and many older 100 amp panels can't spare it alongside a range, dryer and other loads. Our ESA-licensed electricians check your panel before we quote and handle a 200 amp upgrade if needed.
Does an electric furnace qualify for the Ontario rebate?
No. A stand-alone electric furnace does not qualify for the Home Renovation Savings Program. A qualifying cold-climate heat pump paired with an electric air handler can, and because the home is heated by electricity it falls in the higher tier, up to $7,500 based on heat pump size. Program terms can change, so we confirm eligibility before installation.