Ottawa · Kanata to Orléans
Heat pumps and hybrids that keep up while the canal is frozen solid
HVAC in Ottawa has one job that matters more than the rest: keep the house warm through a long winter full of -25°C nights. We install cold-climate heat pumps rated to -30°C, hybrid systems that keep a gas furnace as backup, and high-efficiency furnaces, all sized from a room-by-room heat-loss calculation. You get the price in writing before anything is installed.
Voted Best Company 2019 to 2021 · Authorized Midea, Lennox, Kepler & Rinnai dealer, plus Goodman · 20+ years
Ottawa is one of the coldest big cities in the country, and its summers still get hot and sticky. One system has to handle both ends.
Long winters with deep cold snaps mean the system has to deliver full heat at the bottom of the thermometer, not just on a mild November day.
Most homes have both. We compare your hydro rate against your gas bill before we suggest where a heat pump should hand off to the furnace.
Older homes in the Glebe and Alta Vista lose heat differently than newer builds in Barrhaven or Orléans, so the sizing changes house to house.
Homes heated by electricity, oil, propane or wood can reach the top tier. Gas-heated homes qualify for a smaller amount, commonly up to $2,000.
Most of the Ottawa homeowners who call us fall into one of these four groups. Each gets a different plan.
Plenty of houses in Kanata, Nepean and Orléans have a working gas furnace and an aging AC. Swapping the AC for a cold-climate heat pump lets it carry most of the winter, and the furnace takes over only in the deepest cold.
Brick and frame houses in Westboro and the Glebe often have small ducts or none upstairs. Ductless heads or a slim ducted unit can heat and cool those rooms without tearing into plaster.
If you heat with electric baseboards, oil or propane, a heat pump can cut your heating costs sharply and usually lands you in the higher rebate tier.
A heat pump cools just like a central air conditioner on a humid July night. Replacing a tired AC with one gives you two jobs for the price of one outdoor unit.
Tell us about your house and we'll recommend the right system, with a guaranteed price and your rebate estimate.
These are the complaints we hear most once the snow sets in. None of them is something you have to live with.
Standard heat pumps lose most of their output in hard cold. A cold-climate model like the Midea EVOX G3 is rated to -30°C and holds strong capacity at -15°C, so it keeps working through a normal Ottawa January.
That usually points to an undersized unit, leaky ducts or a clogged filter. We measure static pressure, check the ductwork and size any replacement from a proper heat-loss calculation, then fit a two-stage, variable-speed furnace if that's the right call.
Rules of thumb oversize in some homes and undersize in others. We do a room-by-room heat-loss calculation that accounts for windows, insulation and air leakage, so the equipment matches the house you actually live in.
Common in the big Barrhaven and Stittsville builds. We look at return air, duct sizing and balancing first, and add a ductless head for a problem room when the ducts can't carry enough heat.
We mount it on a raised stand or wall bracket above typical snow depth, away from the roof drip line, with a clear path for defrost water to drain so it doesn't freeze into a block.
A hybrid system runs the heat pump for most of the season and switches to gas when it gets bitterly cold. We set the switchover point from your actual hydro and gas rates, not a factory default.
Ottawa gets ice storms that a Toronto unit never sees. Don't chip at it. Switch the system to backup heat, let the defrost cycle and the sun do the work, and call us if the fan still rubs once the ice is gone. On the install side, we keep the unit out from under eaves and gutters, where meltwater refreezes on the coil, and leave room above the fan for ice to clear.
Describe the problem and we'll tell you what it usually is, what it costs to fix, and whether it's worth fixing.
From a furnace repair in the Glebe to a hybrid heat pump in Kanata, these are the starting points before rebates and financing are applied.
| Service | Typical price in Ottawa |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Ductless mini split, one zone Midea or Kepler wall unit with outdoor unit and line set | Written quote |
| Rinnai tankless water heater, installed RX160iN or RX199iN condensing, with venting and gas line | From $3,300 |
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.
These come from recent Ontario installs, not specifically Ottawa homes. Look at the raised stands, the tidy line sets and the condensate routing, because that's the work that counts in a cold climate.
Four steps from your first call to a system you can trust at -25°C.
Age, size, current fuel and the rooms that bother you. Photos of the furnace, panel and side yard help a lot.
We work out how much heat your home loses on a design cold day, then choose capacity and backup heat to match.
You get one written price for the agreed scope, plus your rebate estimate. Rebate pre-approval goes in before any equipment does.
Our licensed refrigeration techs and TSSA-certified gas techs install, commission and set the hybrid switchover, then register your warranty.
Heat pumps rated to -30°C, with a two-stage furnace behind them for the nights that go lower. These are the models on most of our Ottawa quotes.
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
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
The worst time to shop for heat is when the furnace has already quit. Planning in fall gives you time for a proper sizing visit, rebate pre-approval and an install date that suits you. Our crews serve Ottawa and the surrounding area, and we schedule your install with you directly.
Our office is in Stouffville, and the people who come to your home are our own licensed crew.
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.
Detailed local pages for the work we do most often in Ottawa.
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 Ottawa, 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.
A cold-climate heat pump like the Midea EVOX G3 is rated to heat down to -30°C, so it can carry most Ottawa homes through a normal winter. For the coldest nights we pair it with backup heat, either your gas furnace or an electric air handler, sized from a heat-loss calculation.
In most Ottawa homes with a working gas furnace, yes. A hybrid setup lets the heat pump do the bulk of the heating and hands off to the furnace in deep cold, which keeps comfort steady and the bills reasonable.
Enbridge gas-heated homes commonly qualify for up to $2,000 through the Home Renovation Savings Program, while homes heated by electricity, oil, propane or wood can reach up to $7,500. You need pre-approval before the install, and the program's terms can change, so we confirm eligibility first.
A heat-loss calculation is a room-by-room estimate of how much heat your home loses on a very cold day. It tells us what size heat pump or furnace you need, so the system is neither too small for January nor so big that it short cycles.
Our office is in Stouffville, and our licensed crews serve Ottawa and the surrounding area. We schedule assessments and installs with you directly and give you a written, guaranteed quote.
Yes, we take emergency calls evenings, weekends and holidays. Call 1-647-694-5845 and we'll tell you honestly when a technician can get to you.
Yes. A heat pump cools and dehumidifies like a central air conditioner, so one outdoor unit covers both the July humidity and the January cold.
Cold-climate heat pumps start from $5,500 installed, before the Home Renovation Savings Program rebate. Installed pricing depends on size and installation requirements, including the backup heat and any 240V circuit, and your written quote 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.
