
Lennox ML296V
96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower, 45,000 to 110,000 BTU
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
Nepean · Bells Corners to Barrhaven
Two very different housing stocks, one honest assessment
Nepean HVAC needs change from one street to the next. Central Nepean has post-war and 1960s homes running on aging equipment, while Barrhaven and Riverside South have newer houses with builder-grade furnaces and ACs that were the lowest-cost choice on the order form. We replace both, and we size cold-climate heat pumps for the -25°C nights that every Ottawa winter brings.








The age of the house decides most of what goes wrong. Here's what we find on both sides of Nepean.
Ducts from that era were often sized for a furnace alone, not central air, and they leak at the joints. We test static pressure, seal what we can reach and choose equipment that suits the ducts instead of overpowering them.
Builder-grade systems are usually single-stage and sized by rule of thumb. A variable-speed furnace or inverter heat pump, set up and balanced properly, evens out the floors and runs quieter.
Basic units are often undersized for big windows and open layouts. We run a cooling load calculation and replace it with a heat pump or AC matched to the house.
Once repairs pile up on an aging unit, fixing it stops being good value. We price the repair and the replacement side by side and explain which one we'd choose in your shoes.
At -25°C, the wrong size shows. We do a heat-loss calculation, pick a cold-climate model rated to -30°C and plan backup heat for the nights colder than that.
Many newer basements have a couple of supply registers and no return air. We add returns or a ductless head, so the basement becomes a room people actually use in winter.
If the house heats with propane or oil, a cold-climate heat pump can carry most of the winter and the old furnace can stay as backup until you're ready to retire it. Homes heated that way may qualify for the higher rebate tier, up to $7,500. Where the furnace is done, a heat pump with an electric air handler replaces it outright, sized for a -25°C design night.
Describe the problem and we'll tell you what it usually is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's worth fixing.
Whether it's a 1960s furnace in Craig Henry or a builder-grade AC in Barrhaven, the starting prices are the same. The quote adjusts for ducts, panel and backup heat.
| Service | Typical price in Nepean |
|---|---|
| High-efficiency furnace, installed Lennox ML296V or Midea MGH96, 96% to 97% AFUE, two-stage variable-speed | From $3,300 |
| Central air conditioner, installed Lennox or Midea, sized from a heat-gain calculation | Written quote |
| Cold-climate heat pump, installed Midea EVOX G3 or Kepler, 2 to 5 ton, rated to -30°C | From $5,500 |
| Furnace repair Diagnostic visit plus common parts such as ignitors, flame sensors and capacitors | Quote after diagnosis |
| AC repair Diagnostic visit plus common parts such as capacitors, contactors and refrigerant leak repair | Quote after diagnosis |
Installed pricing depends on size and installation requirements, and every job gets a written, guaranteed quote. Qualifying cold-climate heat pumps can bring back up to $7,500 through the Home Renovation Savings Program, and financing runs 0% for 3, 6 or 9 months on approved credit.
The equipment plan for a Qualicum bungalow and a Riverside South two-storey looks very different. Here's why.
Bells Corners, Qualicum and Bayshore have older houses with aging furnaces, original ducts and electrical panels that may need a check before a heat pump.
Newer subdivisions where the first furnace and AC were builder-grade, and many are now due for replacement or a proper upgrade.
Every system we size here has to carry the house on a -25°C night, with backup heat ready for anything colder.
Nearly every house here has a gas meter and a hydro meter. Gas-heated homes commonly qualify for up to $2,000 toward a qualifying heat pump, and pre-approval comes first.
A cold-climate heat pump is an electric system that pulls heat from outdoor air and moves it inside, even in deep cold. The Midea EVOX G3 and Kepler equipment we use is rated to keep heating at -30°C. That rating only helps if the unit is sized for your house, which is why every quote starts with a room-by-room heat-loss calculation.
The two halves of Nepean need different things. In an older central home, we look hard at the ducts, the attic insulation and the electrical panel, since a 240V heat pump circuit needs room. In a newer Barrhaven home, the ducts are usually fine, and the gains come from replacing a single-stage builder unit with variable-speed equipment that matches the real load.
Most Nepean homes on gas keep the furnace as backup in a hybrid setup. Homes on electric heat often choose an electric air handler instead. For the citywide view, visit our HVAC in Ottawa page.

Four steps, whatever the age of your house.
Tell us the year it was built, what heats it now and which rooms bother you. Photos of the furnace, panel and outdoor unit help.
A technician checks ducts, airflow and the electrical panel, then runs the heat-loss numbers for your home.
The written quote lists every model number, plus your rebate estimate and ways to finance. The price holds for the agreed scope.
Our TSSA-certified gas techs and licensed refrigeration techs install and commission the system, show you the controls and register the warranty.
Whether the house is 60 years old or six, the first step is the same: an honest look at what you have and a price you can hold us to. Our office is in Stouffville, and our licensed crews serve Barrhaven, Centrepointe, Bells Corners and the rest of Nepean. We set visit and install dates with you.

Photos from our installs elsewhere in Ontario, showing the line sets, stands and furnace rooms we leave behind.



Two-stage furnaces and heat pumps rated to -30°C, replacing the single-stage builder units in Barrhaven and the 1960s-era equipment in Bells Corners alike.

96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower, 45,000 to 110,000 BTU
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty

97% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed blower
20-year limited heat exchanger warranty
96.5% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed, 60,000 to 120,000 BTU
Registered warranty, up to 12 years parts and labour on select systems
Up to 96% AFUE, two-stage, variable-speed ECM blower, 40,000 to 120,000 BTU/h input
10-year parts and unit replacement limited warranties when registered online

2 to 5 ton, inverter, R-454B, ENERGY STAR cold climate, rated to -30°C
Up to 12 years parts and labour on select systems

1.5 to 5 ton, rated to -30°C, quiet operation
Registered warranty

18,000 to 60,000 BTU outdoor units, wall-mounted heads
Registered warranty
Your quote is your final price. No surprise extras on the agreed scope of work.
Cold-climate heat pumps may qualify through the Home Renovation Savings Program. We confirm eligibility and file the paperwork.
Interest-free for 3, 6 or 9 months, or open loans from 2.99% on approved credit.
Extended warranty on select systems when registered.
A guaranteed quote takes one visit. Rebate and financing options come with it.
Rated 4.5 on Google and voted Best Company 2019, 2020 and 2021 on HomeStars.
Replaces our AC with a new heat pump in Ottawa and the whole experience was outstanding. From the first call, Dustin was incredibly responsive and communicated clearly every step of the way. He cut through all the usual sales fluff and got straight to what mattered — options, costs, timelines, and what made the most sense for our home. They addressed every concern I had, explained the details discussed my technical questions, and handled the installation quickly and professionally. The quality of the work is excellent, everything was done cleanly, and the system has been running perfectly since. Pricing was fair and transparent, and there were no surprises. It’s rare to find a company that combines speed, honesty, and solid workmanship like this. Highly recommended.
Efficient Home Improvements truly went above and beyond. Our furnace failed on Christmas Eve in Ottawa, and their team stayed up late (3:00am) that night to replace it. Their responsiveness, professionalism, and dedication during the holidays were exceptional. The work was completed efficiently, and everything was explained clearly. It’s rare to find a company willing to sacrifice their own holiday time to ensure a customer’s home is warm and safe. I highly recommend Efficient Home improvements to anyone in need of reliable and compassionate service.
We had a heat pump/AC unit installed by EHI, on time, on budget, great workmanship. Julian and team were knowledgeable and courteous. Dustin communicated well and is managing our government rebate for the new efficient system. Thank you Team!
Recently got a shiny new heat pump installed. Went very well, nice unit and it works soooo quietly. These fine folks were very easy to deal with, professional and thourough. Would highly recommend.
I recently had a new furnace and tankless water heater installed by this company. Excellent service by both office and technicians , I highly recommend!
The Installers were great.. Got in and got the job done..the furnace works amazing compared to the old one !!! Need a furnace..A/C water tankless system..there your guys!!!!
Had a tankless water heater installed and couldn’t be happier. The installation was quick, professional, and the system works great — endless hot water and more efficient than my old tank. Highly recommend!
Dustin and his team were really responsive and helpful in getting us a new heat pump to replace our broken AC unit. The team went above and beyond helping us through the process and answering other questions about the house we recently moved in to. I would highly recommend Efficient Home Improvements for any of your HVAC needs.
Licensed HVAC Contractor · Serving Ontario for 20+ Years
EHI Heating And Cooling has kept Ontario homes and businesses comfortable for more than 20 years. Our licensed crews come to your home or business anywhere in Nepean, with a written, guaranteed quote before any work starts.
Emergency service available evenings, weekends and holidays.
Every city gets the same licensed crews, guaranteed pricing and rebate paperwork. Pick yours for local details.
Only if it's failing, undersized or leaving the house uncomfortable. If it still works, balancing the ducts, adding returns or upgrading the thermostat can help before you spend on new equipment.
Builder-grade HVAC equipment is the basic furnace and air conditioner a builder installs to meet code at the lowest cost. It's usually single-stage, with fewer comfort features and a shorter warranty than higher-end models.
It depends on the home's heat loss, not its square footage. We calculate it room by room for a -25°C design day and size the cold-climate unit and backup heat from that.
Not always. Many older ducts work once they're sealed and balanced, and where they can't carry enough air, a ductless head can cover the rooms they miss.
Yes. Our TSSA-certified gas technicians repair furnaces across Nepean, and you see the price in writing before any work begins.
Yes. We install cold-climate and hybrid heat pump systems in Barrhaven, Riverside South and Manotick, and we book the assessment and install dates with you.
A high-efficiency two-stage furnace starts from $3,300 installed, and a cold-climate heat pump that replaces the AC starts from $5,500, before any rebate. Installed pricing depends on size and installation requirements, and the written quote for your home is guaranteed.
Page reviewed and updated October 27, 2026. Prices, rebates and program terms are checked at each update.
Home or business, tell us what's going on with your heating, cooling or hot water. We'll size it right, price it once, and show you every rebate you qualify for.