The main difference is the energy used to generate heat: a gas furnace uses the combustion of natural gas while a heat pump uses electricity (like an air conditioning unit). Heat pumps also have the ability to reverse their heating process and switch to providing cool air for your home, eliminating the need for an air conditioner. You can read more about the differences between heat pumps and furnaces here.

Heat pumps are sized by their BTU output and tonnage. The size of the unit you will need depends on your home’s square footage, ceiling heights, layout, insulation, and a few other factors. A higher BTU rating will heat a larger space if all other factors are equal.

Some people say that you should multiply the square footage of living space in your house by 30 to get a BTU guideline but this is an extremely rough estimate. Ideally, an HVAC professional should assess your heating and cooling requirements fully before making any changes to your HVAC setup.

The heat pump brand, size, efficiency, and warranty all impact your costs and peace of mind, as well as the performance of your heat pump. All of these factors should, therefore, be professionally assessed and considered before you choose a heat pump for your home.

With heat pump installations, the existing ducting from the HVAC setup can often be used without modification—which saves time and labour. Generally, half a day is enough for most simple heat pump installations. If new ductwork is required, it can take a full day.

High-quality, modern heat pumps can last up to 15 or 20 years in Calgary but this will depend on the type/brand, maintenance, installation quality, usage, and air quality in the home.

The average heat pump costs between $8,500 and $16,000, depending on the size and layout of your home, the brand of heat pump you choose, the efficiency of the unit, etc. To help homeowners meet the installation costs, Alberta Mountain Air has teamed up with financing companies to spread the upfront costs over several months.

The heat pump installation process typically includes a visit to your home from one of our HVAC professionals to evaluate the heating/cooling setup and quote for a new installation.

During installation, the team will prepare the areas outside and indoors where the units will be located, remove any existing heating/cooling equipment that is no longer needed, run new refrigerant lines from the heat pump to the condenser, rewire the area, and mount the equipment correctly.

To help the process move more smoothly on the day of installation, we recommend you clear the working area and remove any obstructions. Make sure someone is at home when the technician arrives (to grant access) and when the installation is finished.

Before leaving, our team will walk you through how to use your new system and answer any of your questions along the way. 

This is not advisable in Alberta because a heat pump here generally requires a supplemental heating system like a gas furnace to heat the home in the coldest parts of winter. Most modern heat pumps will work fine in temperatures as low as -10C to -15C but, beyond that, greater heating capacity is required.

Most of the time, the heat pump will handle the heating in your home as well as the cooling during the summer months. However, when the temperatures dip below -10 to -15C, as does happen quite regularly in a Calgary winter, you’ll likely need the extra heating power of your furnace to keep your home warm. This may change as heat pump technology advances, however.

Standard warranties in Calgary include a manufacturer’s parts and labour warranty (usually 10-15 years) and an installation warranty that covers the work performed during the installation process. Service warranties may also protect you for several months after heat pump repairs or service. Note that warranties do vary between manufacturers and suppliers, so check the deal before you buy.