Quick answer
Natural Resources Canada publishes free resources for homeowners: a heat pump guide, a video on adapting heat pumps to the Canadian climate, a 14-part best practices video series with real Canadian homes, and a sizing and selection guide used by contractors.1234
Watch: Adapting heat pumps to our Canadian climate
A short video from Natural Resources Canada.2
Best practices in heat pumps: video series
Natural Resources Canada's series shows heat pump sizing, selection and installation in case study homes across Canada, aimed at contractors, energy advisors, builders and renovators.3 Episodes include:
- An introduction to cold climate heat pumps, on how the technology performs in extreme Canadian temperatures.
- An envelope first approach to heat pump retrofits, on insulating and air sealing first so a smaller system does the job.
- The importance of proactive planning in heat pump retrofits, following an Ottawa homeowner.
- Best practices for sizing supplementary heating systems, including avoiding costly electrical panel upgrades.
- Oil furnace to heat pump retrofits, including reusing existing ductwork and a Halifax home's conversion.
- Making a business case for gas furnace retrofits, on how envelope upgrades and incentives change the numbers.
Watch the full series on Natural Resources Canada →
Guides and tools
- Heating and cooling with a heat pump: how heat pumps work, efficiency in cold weather, backup heat, sizing and maintenance.1
- Air-Source Heat Pump Sizing and Selection Guide: the detailed guide behind properly sized systems (PDF).4
Our answers on heat pumps
- Do heat pumps work in Canadian winters?
- What should I know before installing a heat pump?
- How big should my heat pump be?
- What is a hybrid heating system?
Common follow-up questions
Are these resources free?
Yes. The guides and videos are published free by Natural Resources Canada.
Who are the best practices videos made for?
Mainly contractors, energy advisors, builders and renovators, but they're useful for homeowners planning a heat pump too.
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Answers are general information as reported by the sources listed on the date shown, not personal financial or technical advice. Programs, prices and rules change. Canadian Energy Standard is an independent company, not affiliated with any government, utility or program named here.