Heat pump: Guaranteed value, all year long

How does it work?

A heat hump doesn’t generate heat: it moves it around. That’s why it uses less energy than other heating devices.

In winter

In heating mode, the heat pump absorbs the heat from the outdoor air and sends it into the home.

1. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoor air.
2. The compressor compresses the refrigerant to warm it up.
3. The heat is released indoors.
4. The cooled refrigerant returns outdoors.

Even in temperatures as low as −20°C, a low temperature heat pump (or cold climate heat pump) provides a good amount of heat to meet a large part of a home’s heating needs. When it’s cold, a heat pump combined with another heating system is one of the most cost-effective options on the market. Most air-source heat pumps have a minimal operating temperature below which they cannot operate. In newer models, it can vary between −15°C and −25°C. Below that temperature, an auxiliary system must be used to provide all the heating for the home.

In summer

In the warmer months, in cooling mode, the heat pump absorbs the heat from the indoor air and sends it outside the home.

1. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air.
2. The compressor compresses the refrigerant to warm it up.
3. The heat is discharged outdoors.
4. The cooled refrigerant returns indoors.

More on the conditions to receive financial assistance.

Important information

Here are a few links to guide you:

• Enquête sur les thermopompes : les meilleures marques, et comment bien les magasiner (on the Protégez‑vous website [in French only])
• Thermopompe : bien chez vous hiver comme été (on the Protégez-vous website [in French only])
• Before Purchasing Heating or Air Conditioning Systems (Office de la protection du consommateur)
• Before Hiring a Renovation Contractor (Office de la protection du consommateur)
• Licence holders’ repertory (Régie du bâtiment du Québec [RBQ])