Heat pump installation in a Brampton home
Brampton · Residential · Heat pump
Heat pumps · heating and cooling
Heat pump installation and service
A heat pump heats your home in cold weather and cools it in warm weather by moving heat between the outdoors and the house, instead of burning fuel to make heat. Don installs air-source heat pumps and connects them to the rest of the system, including pairing a heat pump with an existing furnace.
Most people come to heat pumps while replacing an air conditioner or a furnace. The questions below cover what to think about before you request an estimate.
How a heat pump fits into a home
This page is about heat pumps that heat and cool the living space. A heat-pump water heater only heats water and is covered on the water heaters page.
Don’s documented heat pump work includes an installation in a Brampton home. Project: Heat pump installation in a Brampton home.
- Air-source heat pumps
- An outdoor unit that looks like an air conditioner, connected to an indoor coil or indoor units. In summer it works like an air conditioner; in winter it runs in reverse to bring heat in.
- Heat pumps paired with a furnace
- The heat pump handles cooling and much of the heating, and the furnace takes over when it is very cold outside. The two share the existing ductwork and thermostat.
Heat pump not heating or cooling? Common signs
Heat pumps behave differently from furnaces, so some things that look like faults are normal. These descriptions help you tell the difference and explain what you are seeing. Refrigerant and electrical work is for Don.
Not heating enough, or the air feels lukewarm
Air from a heat pump is warm but not as hot as air from a gas furnace, which is normal. If rooms are not reaching the set temperature, the cause may be a dirty filter, a thermostat set-up issue, a refrigerant problem, or very cold weather where backup heat should be taking over.
When to call: Call if the house is not keeping up with the thermostat after you have checked the setting and the filter.
Not cooling, or weak airflow in summer
In cooling mode a heat pump has the same weak points as an air conditioner: filters, coils, refrigerant and the outdoor fan.
When to call: Call if airflow or cooling stays weak with a clean filter and the thermostat set to cool.
Frost or ice on the outdoor unit
Light frost in winter is normal; the heat pump runs a defrost cycle to clear it, sometimes with steam. Ice that builds up and stays, or a unit encased in ice, means the defrost is not working or airflow is blocked.
When to call: Call if heavy ice does not clear within a few hours. Do not chip or hose ice off the coil.
Running for long periods
Heat pumps run longer, gentler cycles than furnaces, especially in cold weather, so long run times alone are not a fault. Running constantly without keeping the house comfortable is worth a call.
When to call: Call if the system runs non-stop and the house is still too cold or too warm.
Before you call
Safety first, then simple checks
Smell gas or hear a carbon monoxide alarm?
Leave the building now and take everyone with you. From outside, call your gas utility’s emergency line or 911. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off on the way out. Call Don once the utility or fire service says it is safe to go back in.
Checks you can safely make on your heat pump
- Thermostat: check it is set to the right mode (heat, cool or auto) and temperature, and has fresh batteries if it uses them.
- Breaker and switch: the heat pump and furnace breakers are on. Reset a tripped breaker once only; if it trips again, leave it off and call.
- Filter: replace a dirty filter at the furnace or air handler. Keep snow and leaves clear of the outdoor unit without touching the coil.
Leave anything involving gas, wiring, refrigerant or the inside of the equipment to Don.
Replacement or new installation
Considering a heat pump: questions to ask first
A heat pump changes how your home is heated, so it is worth a conversation before an estimate. These are the questions that shape the job.
Request an estimateDucted or ductless?
If the house has ductwork, a ducted heat pump uses it like central air. Homes without ducts, or rooms the ducts do not reach, can use ductless indoor units instead.
Keep the existing furnace, or replace it?
Many homes keep a working furnace and add a heat pump so the two share the heating. Others replace both together. Don can look at the furnace’s age and condition and talk through each option.
Does the electrical panel have capacity?
A heat pump needs its own electrical circuit, and some older panels do not have room. This is checked before installation, so any electrical changes are known up front.
Where will the outdoor unit go?
It needs clear airflow, a stable base raised above snow, a route for the refrigerant lines, and somewhere the defrost water can drain without icing a walkway.
How does it handle an Ontario winter?
Heat pumps are designed to keep heating as it gets colder, with cold-climate models built for lower temperatures. On the coldest days, many Ontario homes rely on a furnace or other backup heat. Ask Don how the heat pump and backup would share the work in your house.
Are there rebates?
Rebate and incentive programs change over time. Ask about current rebate programs when you request an estimate, and check the program’s own rules before you commit.
What Don handles
The heat pump work Don does for homes and businesses, from a single repair to a full replacement.
Repair
- Diagnosing heating and cooling problems
- Repairing fans, refrigerant lines and electrical components
Maintenance
- Cleaning and replacing filters
- Inspecting coils, refrigerant levels and electrical components
Replacement and new installation
- Installing air-source heat pumps
- Replacing an air conditioner with a heat pump
Efficiency and integration
- Integrating a heat pump with an existing furnace
- Zoned heating
- Smart thermostat integration
- Duct sealing
Related work
See all completed projectsHeat pump questions
Can a heat pump replace my air conditioner?
Yes. A heat pump cools like an air conditioner and also heats. If your air conditioner is due for replacement, it is worth asking about a heat pump at the same time.
Can I keep my furnace if I get a heat pump?
Often, yes. A heat pump can be paired with an existing furnace so the furnace takes over on the coldest days. Whether that suits your furnace depends on its age and condition.
Why is steam coming off my heat pump in winter?
That is usually the defrost cycle melting frost off the outdoor coil, which is normal. Call if the unit stays covered in ice.
Is a heat pump the same as a heat-pump water heater?
No. A heat pump heats and cools your home; a heat-pump water heater only heats water. Don works on both.
Talk to Don about your heat pump
Don has over 20 years of experience with heating, cooling and hot water. Call to describe the problem, or send a request with the details. Not sure whether Don serves your area? Ask when you get in touch.