Air conditioner or heat pump: making the right choice

How they work: a major difference between air conditioners and heat pumps

Air conditioner

Wall-mounted air conditioners are designed solely to cool indoor air during the summer. They capture heat from the ambient air and expel it outside, thereby lowering the temperature in your home.

Heat pump

A heat pump, on the other hand, is a reversible system. In summer, it works like an air conditioner and circulates cool air throughout the house. But in winter, it can heat your home by capturing heat from outside, even in cold weather. It therefore offers year-round comfort!

 

The advantages of choosing a heat pump for your home in Quebec

1. Energy savings: the main advantage of a heat pump

Thanks to its bidirectional operation, a heat pump can significantly reduce energy costs, especially when you heat with oil, electricity, or gas. According to Hydro-Québec, using a heat pump can save you up to 40% on your electricity bills during the heating season. It consumes little energy to produce a lot of heat, making it an energy-efficient and cost-effective choice in the long term.

2. Year-round comfort

With an air conditioner, you will need to install a heating system for the cold months—nine months out of twelve in Quebec. A heat pump, on the other hand, ensures optimal comfort in both summer and winter, without interruption. Some heat pumps are even designed to withstand winters and provide heat at temperatures as low as -30°C (depending on the model).

3. Environmental impact: a greener solution

Heat pumps use technology that maximizes the heat naturally present in the outside air. By reducing your dependence on fossil fuels or excessive electricity consumption, they help reduce your carbon footprint.

4. Subsidies and financial assistance

The Quebec government and several municipalities offer financial assistance for the installation of heat pumps, making this investment even more advantageous. These programs aim to encourage households to adopt more environmentally friendly solutions. Good news: all HydroSolution heat pumps are eligible!

However, no subsidies are available for the installation of air conditioners. Thanks to Quebec subsidies of up to $6,700, the price of a heat pump becomes much more affordable, and the price difference with an air conditioner is greatly reduced.

5. Installation and maintenance

At HydroSolution, our certified experts ensure professional installation of your heat pump, whether you choose a central or wall-mounted model. The central heat pump integrates with a duct system that distributes air throughout the home for uniform cooling and heating, while the wall-mounted heat pump, whether single-zone (one room) or multi-zone (several rooms), provides ductless cooling and heating.

We also include maintenance services to maximize the performance and durability of your unit. We offer a comprehensive warranty for long-term peace of mind.

And because every project is unique, you can choose between purchasing or renting your equipment, depending on your needs and budget. We take care of everything!

 

Why choose a heat pump instead of an air conditioner in Quebec?

If you are looking for a solution that provides comfort all year round, saves you money on your energy bill, is environmentally friendly, and is eligible for attractive subsidies, a heat pump is clearly the best choice.

Air conditioners, which only cool, are becoming less and less popular because they don’t meet heating needs for three out of four seasons… or even on cooler summer nights.
With changing energy efficiency standards and growing environmental concerns, heat pumps are gradually becoming the new residential standard and the solution of the future.

Switch to a heat pump with HydroSolution

Trust our expertise to advise you and install the heat pump that best suits your needs. Get a quick and free online quote and start saving now!