Electric heat pumps

Replace your building’s boiler or furnace with a high-efficiency heat pump for improved performance.

Planning to upgrade your building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system? Electric heat pumps are an energy-efficient option for both heating and cooling.

Whether you’re the owner or operator of a small business, a multi-unit residential building or a large industrial building, there’s an electric heat pump solution for you.

Contact our Climate Action team!
We’re here to help our customers electrify with confidence. Email climateaction@torontohydro.com if you’re interested in receiving support with your heat pump project or if you have any questions.

What is an electric heat pump?

An electric heat pump provides both heating and cooling in one system — reducing moving parts and maintenance needs, and cutting repair costs over time.

In winter, a heat pump pulls heat out of the air or ground outside and moves it into a building, while in the summer, it takes heat from a building and moves it outside. It’s an energy-efficient alternative to a system that uses a furnace or boiler and air conditioner (AC).

Did you know? Commercial air source heat pump chiller units can deliver up to 230 tonnes of cooling and 2.5 million British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour of heating — all in one system.

Heat pumps in cold climates

You may be wondering if a heat pump can handle our northern climate. The answer is yes — there are a range of heat pump technologies that are up to the task.

Modern cold-climate air source heat pumps are designed to operate efficiently in temperatures as low as -25°C, and an electric resistance heater can be added into the system to make up any shortfalls. Ground source heat pumps operate efficiently regardless of the outside temperature because they extract heat from the ground, where temperatures are relatively steady throughout the year.

Explore the various types of electric heat pumps to see which one might be a good fit for your building.

Considerations

Before you make the switch to a heat pump, there are a few important things to keep in mind to make sure the type of heat pump you choose is the right fit for your building.

Assess your building’s size, layout and insulation levels to ensure that the electric heat pump system you choose is designed to handle your building’s heating and cooling needs.

Toronto experiences notably cold winters. Choose a heat pump that’s designed to work efficiently in sub-zero temperatures, such as a cold-climate heat pump or a ground source heat pump.

Heat pumps can cost more upfront than fossil fuel-powered heating and cooling systems, but there are programs that can help lower the cost of purchase and installation. Visit our Offers and Rebates web page to see what’s currently available.

Did you know? Electric heat pump prices are expected to fall as technology improves and policies evolve.

Your building’s existing electrical capacity from Toronto Hydro may need to be increased to support a heat pump, even if your building’s internal electrical system has capacity.

For a high-level overview of available electrical load capacity in areas across our service territory, we have a Load Capacity Map available. Our Climate Action team can also help you determine what additional electrical capacity you may need if installing a heat pump.

Email us at climateaction@torontohydro.com to learn more.

In the event of a power outage, an electric heat pump will require a backup generator to operate. For safety reasons, even fuel-powered systems, such as gas furnaces or boilers, will not operate during a power outage unless connected to a backup power source.

With a ground source heat pump in particular, installers should estimate both the heating and cooling loads to ensure the heat withdrawn from the ground in winter is balanced by the heat added in summer.

Offers and rebates

There are a variety of programs available to help building owners and operators save on energy-efficient building upgrades.

Learn more

Types of electric heat pumps

There are various types of electric heat pumps on the market designed to suit multi-unit residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The right choice depends on factors such as your building’s size, existing mechanical systems, available infrastructure and other considerations listed in the section above. Understanding your options can help you make an informed decision on the right fit for your building.

Note: When choosing an electric heat pump, make sure that it’s cold-climate certified. Cold-climate-certified electric heat pumps are designed to operate effectively on days as cold as -25°C.

Overview of heat pump types

Type Overview
Air source ductless heat pump Ductless heat pumps are ideal for heating and cooling individual rooms or zones. They typically use an outdoor unit and one or more indoor units (called “heads”). In larger buildings, these systems are often called cold-climate Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems.
Heat pump rooftop unit These systems can replace units that use gas for heating while also providing outdoor air for ventilation. In winter, they extract heat from outdoor air to warm the building. In summer, they provide cooling and ventilation, just like traditional rooftop HVAC systems.
Air or ground source hydronic heat pump For buildings with hydronic heating (systems that circulate hot water to radiators), these heat pumps can serve as a replacement for gas boilers. They can also provide chilled water for cooling in the summer. Ground source versions are more efficient because they draw heat from the stable temperature of the ground.
Waste heat source heat pump These systems recover waste heat from sources like exhaust air, sewage and heat extracted from cooling processes, such as ice making. Since the heat is already warm, this is the most efficient type of heat pump.
Specialized industrial heat pump Specialized options are available for various applications, such as producing steam or working in extreme environments.

Need support with your building's heat pump project? Our Cleantech Services Directory lists qualified contractors, consultants and professionals who can implement energy-efficient solutions for your building, including heat pumps.

Preparing the grid for growth

As more customers turn to electricity to power their homes, businesses and vehicles, we’re expanding our grid so that customers can continue to plug in safely and reliably.

Learn about our 2025–29 investment plan

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