Heat Pump vs. Furnace: The Ontario Efficiency Showdown

With rising carbon taxes and the push for electrification, many London, ON homeowners are debating between a traditional gas furnace and a modern air-source heat pump. At empcontracting.ca Inc., we help you navigate this transition based on your home's specific thermal envelope.

Modern 'cold-climate' heat pumps can efficiently heat a home even when outdoor temperatures drop to -25°C. They provide both heating and cooling in a single unit, often eliminating the need for a separate air conditioner. In Ontario, they can significantly reduce your home's carbon footprint.

A high-efficiency gas furnace remains a reliable and cost-effective option, especially for older homes with less-than-ideal insulation. However, many of our new custom builds utilize a 'hybrid' system: a heat pump for most of the year, with a gas furnace backup for the few extreme cold days in January.

The best choice depends on your long-term energy goals and the current state of your home's insulation. We provide full energy modeling to show you the projected utility savings for each system before you make a decision.