Air conditioner or heat pump?
Air conditioner or heat pump? In summer they do the same job. The difference is winter: a heat pump runs in reverse and heats your home, while an air conditioner sits idle. In Ontario, a heat pump can also qualify for rebates that an air conditioner cannot.
- ✓ Authorized dealer for Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Bosch, Amana and AirQuest
- ✓ Registered HRSP rebate contractor
- ✓ TSSA-certified gas technicians, licensed and insured
⚖️ Side by Side
| Air conditioner | Heat pump | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | Yes | Yes |
| Heating | No | Yes, most of the winter with a cold-climate model |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Rebates | None | Up to $7,500 depending on your current heating |
| Installation | Outdoor unit, coil on the furnace | Same, plus a control to manage heating |
| Works with your furnace | Yes | Yes, as a hybrid system |
🏠 When Each Makes Sense
| Situation | Usually best |
|---|---|
| Furnace is new, budget is tight, gas is cheap for you | Air conditioner |
| AC is old and you want lower heating bills | Heat pump with your furnace (hybrid) |
| Home heated by electricity, oil or propane | Heat pump; largest savings and rebates |
| No ductwork | Ductless heat pump |
💡 A heat pump installs in the same spot as an AC and uses the same ducts. Most of the extra cost is the equipment, and rebates often close much of that gap.
Learn more in what a hybrid system is and what SEER means.
🔗 Related Guides & Services
- ✓ AC Installation
- ✓ Central Air Conditioning
- ✓ Heat Pump Installation
- ✓ What Is a Hybrid System?
- ✓ What Is SEER?
- ✓ Heat Pump Rebates
- ✓ Shop Air Conditioners
- ✓ Shop Hybrid Heat Pumps
❄️ Get Both Options Priced
Send us a few photos and tell us about your home. We will recommend the right system and give you a clear written price.
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