1. Free Cold Climate Heat Pump Program for Income-Eligible Ontario Residents
For Ontario residents living in electrically heated homes, the high cost of heating can be a burden, especially during harsh winters. However, with the Energy Affordability Program, income-eligible households now have the opportunity to receive a free cold climate air source heat pump that can help drastically reduce energy bills.
This program is designed to provide homeowners and renters in Ontario with energy-efficient solutions at no cost, from the initial assessment to the installation of the heat pump, plus a long-term warranty. If you qualify, this program covers everything you need to upgrade your home’s heating system and start saving on energy costs.
Who Qualifies for the Free Heat Pump Program?
To qualify for this program, participants must meet specific income and household criteria. Here's a detailed breakdown:
You must be a resident of Ontario who pays for your home’s electricity, either as a homeowner or renter. You must be listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder.
You must have an annual household income below the following limits, based on the number of people in your household:
Alternatively, you can qualify if you have received one of the following types of assistance in the past 12 months:
Allowance for the Survivor
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Allowance for Seniors
Ontario Works
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Healthy Smiles Ontario Child Dental Program
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) grant
Participation in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
Additionally, households that qualify for a natural gas income-eligible demand side management (DSM) program during the past 12 months may also be eligible for this program.
If you're uncertain whether you qualify, or if you'd like to apply, you can visit the official Energy Affordability Program website for more detailed information or contact 1-844-770-3148 for assistance.
2. Understanding the Cold Climate Heat Pump Designation
When it comes to heating homes in Ontario, not all heat pumps are created equal. Standard heat pumps may struggle in extreme cold, but cold climate air source heat pumps (ccASHPs) are designed specifically to perform efficiently even during Ontario’s frigid winters.
To meet the Cold Climate designation, heat pumps must adhere to stringent performance standards that ensure they continue to provide warmth even when outdoor temperatures drop significantly. This designation ensures that the heat pump can maintain reliable performance without the need for supplemental heating, which is essential for homes in colder regions.
Cold Climate Heat Pump Requirements
For a heat pump to earn the Cold Climate designation, it must meet the following criteria:
Maintain at least 70% of its heating capacity at -15°C when compared to its capacity at 8.3°C. This ensures the heat pump can still generate heat even in extreme cold.
Achieve a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 1.75 or higher at -15°C. The COP measures the heat pump’s efficiency, and this threshold ensures the unit operates effectively in freezing conditions.
How Does Novair Achieve This?
Simple—Novair is designed for Canadians, by Canadians. With thousands of successful installations across Atlantic Canada, we’ve perfected the recipe for heat pump performance in cold climates. Novair systems are built to withstand the extreme conditions of Canadian winters through several key features:
Standard Pan Heaters: Prevent the outdoor unit from freezing in cold temperatures, ensuring reliable operation even during snow and ice accumulation.
Gold-Coated Fins: These fins provide corrosion resistance, enhancing durability and heat exchange efficiency for long-lasting performance.
High-End Inverter Compressor: The advanced inverter technology allows the heat pump to operate at variable speeds, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and heat output regardless of temperature fluctuations.
High-Performance 410A Refrigerant: Known for its energy efficiency and environmental benefits, this refrigerant plays a crucial role in maintaining the heat pump’s performance, especially in low temperatures.
At Novair, most of our models maintain 100% of their rated BTU output down to -15°C, ensuring consistent performance during harsh winters. Furthermore, some of our models exceed the cold climate requirements, with operating temperatures as low as -35°C, providing unparalleled reliability for extreme cold conditions.
3. Drastically Lower Your Energy Bills with Novair Heat Pumps
One of the biggest advantages of switching to a Novair Cold Climate Heat Pump is the significant reduction in energy costs, especially for households currently relying on electric resistive heating systems, such as electric baseboard heaters or furnaces. These traditional systems consume a tremendous amount of electricity, making them expensive to operate during the colder months. However, with a heat pump from Novair, you can dramatically reduce your heating bills without compromising comfort.
How Much Can You Save?
By switching from electric resistive heating to a Novair Cold Climate Heat Pump, households can save up to 60% on their heating costs. Here’s an example:
For households that spend $400 per month on heating with electric resistive systems, switching to a heat pump with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 4 can reduce that cost to around $100 per month. This is because a heat pump is capable of delivering four times the energy it consumes by efficiently transferring heat from the outside air into your home.
Some Novair models achieve a COP as high as 3.74, which is among the best in the industry. It’s important to note that the COP decreases as temperatures drop, but even in frigid conditions, Novair heat pumps continue to perform efficiently. In fact, the average Novair customer has cut their energy bill in half, even during Ontario’s coldest months.
Dual Role: Heating and Cooling
A lesser-known benefit of heat pumps is their dual role—they don’t just heat your home in the winter, they also cool your home in the summer. For households that have never had air conditioning before and have always relied solely on electric heating, this can be a game-changer.
Imagine not only reducing your heating costs in the winter but also having affordable cooling in the summer. The money you save during the winter months can more than cover the cost of cooling your home in the summer, so you no longer have to endure high bills in the winter or sweltering heat in the summer.
This feature is especially beneficial for vulnerable populations, such as seniors, who are more affected by extreme heat and cold. With a Novair heat pump, you can ensure comfort all year round, no matter the season.
4. Industry-Leading 10-Year Labor and Parts Warranty
At Novair, we are committed to delivering reliable and long-lasting products. That’s why we offer a comprehensive 10-year labor and parts warranty with our heat pumps. This warranty reflects our confidence in the durability and quality of our systems, ensuring that you can rely on them year after year.
What Does the Warranty Cover?
The 10-year warranty covers both labor and parts, providing protection against potential malfunctions or defects in the system. However, please note that the specifics of labor charges may vary depending on the HVAC company handling the installation and servicing. Some HVAC companies may have additional fees, such as truck fees or specific labor charges, which are not directly covered under the warranty.
This warranty ensures that the essential components of your Novair heat pump are protected for a full decade, offering you peace of mind when it comes to the longevity and performance of your system.
Why Is This Warranty Important?
Heating and cooling systems are a significant investment, and having the right warranty in place is critical for long-term satisfaction. Novair’s 10-year warranty provides you with extended protection, ensuring that your system remains in optimal condition for years to come. Whether it’s parts or labor, we’ve got you covered—giving you confidence that your home’s comfort is in good hands.
5. Superior Performance in Extreme Cold
When you live in a region with cold winters, your heating system’s ability to perform in extreme temperatures is critical. Novair Heat Pumps are specifically designed to thrive in the harshest conditions, making them the ideal solution for Canadian homes.
Most Novair models are engineered to maintain 100% of their rated BTU output down to -15°C, ensuring consistent and efficient heating even when temperatures drop significantly. This is a crucial feature, as many standard heat pumps lose their ability to provide effective heating as outdoor temperatures decrease.
But Novair goes even further. Some of our models are capable of operating at temperatures as low as -35°C, surpassing the requirements for cold climate heat pumps. This ensures reliable heating even during the coldest winter days, giving you confidence that your home will stay warm no matter how low the temperature drops.
Why This Matters for Canadian Homes
For homeowners in Ontario, especially in regions where natural gas is unavailable, a dependable heating system is essential. By choosing Novair, you’re opting for a system that not only meets the Cold Climate designation but exceeds it in many cases. This level of performance makes Novair an excellent choice for homes that experience particularly harsh winters.
Novair’s ability to perform in extreme cold means that even during prolonged cold snaps, you won’t need to worry about supplemental heating sources. This gives you peace of mind and ensures your energy bills remain manageable during the winter months.
6. A Proud Canadian Company with Local Support
When you choose Novair Heat Pumps, you’re not just getting an efficient and reliable system—you’re supporting a Canadian company that understands the unique challenges of our climate. Our heat pumps are specifically designed for Canadian winters, based on the knowledge gained from thousands of successful installations across Atlantic Canada. This deep experience has allowed us to perfect a solution that works seamlessly in even the most extreme conditions.
Why Local Support Matters
One of the key benefits of choosing a Canadian company is the availability of local support. With local staff based in Canada, you can count on quick access to spare parts, troubleshooting, and technical assistance. Whether you need a part replacement or have a question about your system, Novair ensures that help is never far away.
Our local support team is committed to making sure your heat pump operates at peak performance throughout its lifespan. This level of service ensures that any issues are addressed promptly, without the delays that can sometimes occur with international suppliers.
Built for Canadian Winters
Novair’s heat pumps are built for Canadians, by Canadians, making them the ideal choice for homes in Ontario and beyond. Our commitment to quality and performance ensures that your home stays comfortable all year round, whether you’re battling the frigid temperatures of winter or keeping cool during the summer.
7. The Best Solution Where Natural Gas Is Not Available
In many parts of Ontario, particularly rural or remote areas, natural gas is not an option for heating homes. For these regions, Novair Heat Pumps offer the perfect alternative. With the ability to operate in extreme cold, maintain 100% of their rated BTU output at low temperatures, and provide both heating and cooling, Novair is the best solution where natural gas is unavailable.
For households relying on electric resistive heating, the switch to a Novair heat pump can result in significant energy savings, increased comfort, and better year-round climate control. No more high electricity bills in the winter, and no more suffering through hot, sweltering summers without air conditioning.
With Novair, you can enjoy efficient, reliable heating and cooling without the need for natural gas infrastructure. This makes it an excellent choice for homes in areas where other options may be limited.
Conclusion: Make the Switch to Novair Heat Pumps Today
At Novair, we are proud to offer heat pumps that not only meet but exceed the demands of Canadian homeowners. With our cold climate designation, superior performance in extreme temperatures, and industry-leading 10-year labor and parts warranty, Novair Heat Pumps are the best choice for anyone looking to reduce their energy costs, improve home comfort, and invest in a reliable heating and cooling solution.
For those living in areas without access to natural gas, or for households looking to transition away from electric resistive heating, Novair provides the ideal solution. And with programs like the Energy Affordability Program, you may even qualify for a free heat pump.