A heat pump: an energy efficient device that helps you lower your electricity bill

The heat pump is becoming increasingly popular and with good reason. It is one of the most cost-effective and energy efficient heating and cooling devices on the market. That’s because it requires less energy than traditional electric heating and air conditioning units and provides comfort year-round.

In order to encourage Quebec households to go green, the government now offers various financial incentives that lower the price of a heat pump. Many heat pump models qualify for these programs which means your savings could be even higher!

Here’s some information to help you find the best energy efficient device and how to obtain financial assistance.

Energy Star, EER, HSPF… what does it all mean?

Comparing heat pumps requires a bit of knowledge. The initialisms and qualifiers used to rate heat pumps can make the process a bit confusing. This article will help you find out what they all mean.

The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) are the two most important ratings to keep in mind when purchasing a heat pump. Knowing how to compare them is relatively easy and will allow you to estimate how much you could save.

Comparing the energy efficiency of heat pumps with EER and HSPF

The HSPF measures the heating efficiency of a model when temperatures are 8°C outside and 20°C inside. It calculates the quantity of heat emitted versus the power consumed when the heat pump produces heat.

As for the EER, it measures the unit’s cooling output when temperatures are 35°C outside and 26°C inside with a 50% relative humidity. No matter what the average temperature in your city, the EER is calculated using a set value so you can easily compare two heat pump models.

The higher the ratings, the greater the energy efficiency. In terms of the EER, a one-point difference represents a 4% increase or decrease in the heat pump’s energy consumption. A one-point difference in the HSPF rating means the device requires 8% more or less energy.

Finally, you can determine the capacity of a heat pump using BTUs. A BTU is a unit that defines the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at a constant pressure of one atmospheric unit. The initialism BTU/h refers to how much a system delivers or consumes BTUs every hour. Heat pumps generally have a BTU/h of 9,000 to 18,000, with an average of 12,000.

Energy Star heat pumps

The Energy Star symbol is recognized around the world as a sign of energy savings. It’s also a good way to quickly determine the energy efficiency of a heat pump.

Energy Star heat pumps usually rank among the top 15 to 30% most energy efficient units in their category. If you want to purchase an Energy Star certified heat pump, HydroSolution has high-end, energy-efficient models that meet your needs.

Financial assistance for heat pumps to improve your year-round comfort at home

Thinking about acquiring a new heat pump? Did you know you can get financial assistance for buying or renting a heat pump?

When you buy or rent a Performance heat pump model (certified Energy Star® and NEEP) from HydroSolution, you could receive financial assistance from Hydro-Québec as part of the LogisVert program. The financial assistance will be provided to you by HydroSolution in one lump sum when you rent your heat pump.

There are so many good reasons to switch from traditional heating and air conditioning systems to a heat pump!

How much financial assistance can you get?

It’s important to check that you meet the requirements of the LogisVert program before you start your renovation work. You can apply for financial assistance once the work is done. To qualify, you must:

Be the owner of a home or residential building in Quebec, such as:
Single-family house
Duplex
Triplex
Unit in a condo building
Multi-unit residential building

Furthermore, you have six months after the work begins to claim your financial assistance. The amounts allocated will vary between $370 and $2,568 depending on your central heating system and type of dwelling.

The Logisvert program has published a table that allows you to easily calculate the amount of the financial assistance you can receive for your heat pump. You can quickly estimate your savings and determine the time it will take to make your investment profitable.

How to apply for financial assistance

First and foremost, you should make sure your heat pump is eligible before undertaking any work. You could receive financial assistance when you rent or purchase a Performance heat pump model (certified ENERGY STAR® and NEEP). When you rent a heat pump, HydroSolution will provide the amount to you so you don’t need to fill out any claim.

Clients who are eligible to receive financial assistance consent to HydroSolution sending their personal information to Hydro-Québec.

To receive financial assistance, applicants must comply with the terms and conditions of the program.

HydroSolution takes care of it all for you!