Travelling along any residential street in the Peterborough region, it’s possible to spot them — unassuming, usually looking like a large square or rectangular fan along the side of a house in a spot where an air conditioner used to be. These are heat pumps, the heating and cooling systems of the future.
Heat pumps are the fastest-growing technology for home heating and cooling in Canada, with over 1.3 million units currently operating in homes across the country. They are extremely efficient, dwarfing the efficiency of the next best furnace or air conditioner available. Not to mention drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
GreenUP is showcasing the many benefits of heat pumps though the launch of Heat Pump Week 2026 from October 13 to 16. The celebration is the first of its kind in Canada and will feature a series of free informative webinars followed by an in-person meet-and-greet with local contractors. The series aims to help homeowners make the most of this technology.
Heat pumps are installed and maintained by Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) businesses and operate by transferring heat from one place to another: into a building for winter heating, and out for summer cooling.
In preparation for Heat Pump Week, GreenUP spoke with Cory Rawn, owner of 123 HVAC, to address some of the common myths surrounding heat pumps.
Myth #1: Heat pumps don’t work in winter
“For the heat pumps of past, that was true — that old technology worked to 0 or -5 degrees C, at best, and that’s how heat pumps got that reputation of not being able to work in winter,” Rawn explains.
Since 2018 or so however, cold climate heat pumps with new refrigerants and new compressors have given heat pumps the ability to work in very cold temperatures.
“Most leading brands all go to -30 C now, and the technology just continues to get better. We now have plenty of customers who have been using these cold climate heat pumps all winter for years.”
Myth #2: Heat pumps are expensive
“Lately, heat pumps have become so widely available from multiple brands, the competition is starting to drive the price down,” Rawn says.
He notes that many brands offer a regular air conditioner and a heat pump at a similar price. Rebates are also currently available for heat pumps, bringing costs down even further.
There are other factors to consider beyond the installation.
“Starting with air conditioning, a heat pump will be way more efficient than any other air conditioner you find, saving you money on your electric bill in summer. And for heating, our customers who were previously using oil or propane furnaces can expect to save thousands of dollars a year on heating costs when they switch over. We have some customers saving up to $5,000 a year.”
Myth #3: Heat pumps aren’t reliable
“When you purchase a heat pump, any good contractor should offer you a warranty — ours is for 10 years,” Rawn says.
“As with any heating system, we recommend annual maintenance, which will help keep things running as efficiently as possible, and avoid any unexpected problems.”
Myth #4: Heat pumps are noisy
“The noise from a heat pump is about 30 per cent of that from a traditional air conditioner,” Rawn explains.
He notes that for cottage properties or homes close together, this is a major advantage.
Myth #5: Heat pumps only work in certain homes
“In my experience, 95 per cent of homes can accommodate a heat pump,” Rawn says. “And that remaining five per cent can get one too — they just might need an electrical panel upgrade, some building envelope work, or a new furnace.”
Despite popular belief, panel upgrades are not always necessary to install a heat pump in a home. Ductwork is also not required to operate a heat pump.
“Ductless heat pumps are great for cottages, cabins, boat houses, shops, garages, or any space that doesn’t have ductwork. We install a lot of these.”
Sizing and selecting the correct equipment is an important factor in making sure the heat pump will work well in a home.
“It’s very important to have this professionally done,” Rawn concludes.
You can sign up for one or all of GreenUP’s Heat Pump Week events:
- Heat Pumps 101: Tuesday, October 13 from 12 – 1 p.m. (virtual)
- Heat Pumps in Your Neighbourhood: Wednesday, October 14 from 12 – 1 p.m. (virtual tour)
- Funding Your Heat Pump: Thursday, October 15 from 12 – 1 p.m. (virtual)
- Heat Pump Contractor Meet & Greet: Friday, October 16 from 4 – 6 p.m. (in-person at GreenUP)
Visit greenup.on.ca/HeatPumpWeek2026 to learn more and register for free.
