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How to Choose the Best Cold-Climate Heat Pump for Your Home

Choosing a cold-climate heat pump is one of the smartest upgrades you can make for your Ontario home.
These modern systems are engineered to deliver strong, efficient heating even in freezing temperatures — making them ideal for our long, snowy winters.
But with so many models and features available, how do you know which heat pump is right for your home?
Check for Cold-Climate Certifications
To ensure a heat pump can handle Ontario conditions, look for systems specifically designed for cold climates.
These models are tested to perform efficiently at temperatures well below freezing.
When comparing options, look for:
Rated heating performance at –15°C, –20°C, or colder
High heating efficiency (HSPF2)
Strong low-temperature capacity
A certified cold-climate system guarantees better comfort and lower operating costs in winter.
2.
Choose the Right Size for Your Home
One of the most important steps in selecting a heat pump is choosing the correct system size.
Bigger is not always better — and smaller definitely isn’t.
A properly sized system will heat your home consistently without wasting energy.
A professional sizing assessment evaluates:
Square footage
Insulation levels
Window quality
Ductwork condition
Your home’s layout
Twintech Heating & Cooling performs these calculations to ensure you get a system perfectly matched to your home.
3.
Look for High Efficiency Ratings
Cold-climate heat pumps come with two key efficiency ratings:
HSPF2 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) — winter efficiency
SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) — summer cooling efficiency
Higher numbers mean better performance and lower annual energy bills.
Premium brands offer some of the best ratings, making them excellent long-term investments.
4.
Consider Variable-Speed Technology
Heat pumps with variable-speed compressors offer:
Steadier temperatures
Lower noise levels
Reduced energy consumption
Improved comfort during both mild and extreme temperatures
Instead of turning on and off constantly, these systems adjust automatically to meet your home’s heating and cooling needs.
This makes them ideal for Ontario’s fluctuating winter weather.
5.
Evaluate Your Home’s Ductwork (or Lack of It)
Your home’s existing ductwork plays a major role in selecting a heat pump system.
Ducted Homes
A whole-home cold-climate heat pump can connect to your current ductwork if it’s in good condition.
Ductless Homes
Mini-split heat pumps are perfect for older homes without ducts.
They’re efficient, quiet, and easy to install with minimal disruption.
Twintech can inspect your existing ducts or recommend ductless solutions based on your home’s structure.
6.
Explore Hybrid Heating Options
In very cold regions like Ontario, a dual-fuel (hybrid) setup can provide the perfect balance of comfort and efficiency.
In this configuration, a heat pump works alongside your existing gas furnace.
The system automatically chooses the most efficient heat source depending on outdoor temperature — maximizing energy savings all year long.
7.
Compare Warranties and Long-Term Reliability
A heat pump is a major investment, so choosing a brand with a strong warranty is essential.
Look for:
Long compressor warranties
Coverage on major components
Optional extended warranties
Brands like Amana offer exceptional warranty protection, giving homeowners peace of mind and long-term savings.
8.
Get a Professional Installation You Can Trust
Even the best heat pump won’t perform correctly without proper installation.
A certified, experienced HVAC team ensures:
Accurate sizing
Correct refrigerant charging
Proper airflow
Safe electrical connections
Optimal placement of indoor and outdoor units
Twintech Heating & Cooling is trained in installing today’s top cold-climate heat pump systems, ensuring your equipment delivers peak performance from day one.
Find the Best Cold-Climate Heat Pump with Twintech Heating & Cooling
Selecting the right cold-climate heat pump doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
When you work with Twintech Heating & Cooling, we guide you through every step — from choosing the perfect system to installing it with professional care.
Whether you’re upgrading an older furnace, switching to a more efficient heating system, or improving year-round comfort, we’re here to help homeowners across the Durham Region and Toronto find the ideal solution.
All staff concerned were total professionals. Sales rep Dave was like having an old friend at your house. No up selling or pressure, just good honest facts and figures. The owners and assistant who installed our unit worked quietly, efficiently and left our home clean. We could not have been happier with the service and attention we were given. We are so happy a family member recommended Twintech. She said "don't call anyone else, just call them...they are amazing". And they were!!! Thank you guys for the great work!!! A. Johnson
We are completing a large project adding an addition on to our house and couldnt be more pleased with our decision to trust Twintech with our hvac work. They removed and replaced the furnace, installed a new A/C unit, swapped our tank water heater for a tankless unit, and completed ducting and new A/C lines through the addition. Without hesitation we would recommend Twintech to anyone.
Honest, very personable , men of their word ,workmanship xcellent ,showed up when promised ,They do not try to up sell ,rather give good advice instead . Price was very fair in my opinion .We have a family member with a medical condition and I think they made us a priority .Very happy with these guys . (Nice guys ) Stu Leffler Ajax.
Very professional, courteous, knowledgeable staff. Sales staff (David Gergley) excellent in knowledge and getting the job setup and installation was very prompt. Greg and Peter (technicians) knew their stuff and stuck around after completion to make sure it all worked properly and that I understood how it all was installed and how the unit worked. Would highly recommend them! Thanks for a great job-house is now cool and comfortable.
I had Twintech install a brand new air condition back in June of this year and I'm very happy with their service. I have a very busy schedule so I sent out an email to 7 or 8 HVAC companies just to get an idea of what it would cost. Dave at Twintech and only one other company were able to give me an approximate quote through email. Many of the companies I reached out to didn't even respond. I decided to meet with Dave and he was very friendly and professional. He gave me a good quote for a name brand/energy efficient AC with installation from their certified technicians. It was an easy decision to go with them.
Within a week I had the unit installed and working perfectly. Their technicians were very helpful and answered all of my questions. I'll definitely be calling them back for all of my HVAC needs in the future.
The people from Twintech were very friendly and personable...from the salesman to the installers. The installation was done as scheduled. I love my new air conditioner. My neighbour has a York and that thing is so noisy compared to my Goodman!! Thanks Twintech!!
Thank you, Twintech. They installed an A/C in my home in the middle of a heat wave which we appreciated very much. I found the team good, not overly friendly, other than the brothers. Dave, the salesperson was awesome, and, it's because of him that I was sold on using Twintech. I had other questions about additional work I am curious about and would have liked them to follow up and provide a quote. Other than that, which ultimately is not related to the great work they did, I would definitely recommend them, although I don't believe they go outside of Durham (check with them).
We have used this company a few times so I can't remember exactly what we paid but I do know that their fees are always very reasonable.
The first time we called Greg was when our furnace conked out while we were away. He came right away, showed me the problem and fixed it immediately.
The second time was when we needed an air conditioner moved and lifted to a platform. Again, he showed up on time, completed the job quickly (including a new gas line) and the fee was very reasonable.
We have received a quote from Greg to replace the air conditioner and furnace and when we are ready to move ahead, we will be calling him.
I have no hesitation in recommending TwinTech!
Our rating for Twintech is 5/5 stars. They are very professional and efficient, and the transparency they maintain right from the preliminary assessment till the day of the work is a testament to their experience in the field. We had Twintech replace our air conditioning and furnace, and we appreciate the efforts taken by Greg.
After 18 years my Air conditioner died in the middle of a heat wave. I entered my information on Home Stars and within the hour Dave from Twin Tech responded and offered to meet me as soon as possible depending on my availability. Dave was very knowledgeable about the products Twin Tech offered and even though this was the first quote I received . I felt very comfortable in giving Twin Tech my business. maybe it was the professional approach. Needless to say that the crew with Greg and Grant arrived promptly at the time they committed to were very professional and within a few hours had the place cool. They cleaned up and one would never know that I had work done . I know that the System is new and I probably wont need to worry about it for some time. However with the professionalism displayed by the crew I feel assured that should I need to call for service Twin Tech will respond. I also know that should I need a new Heating system I will go with Twin Tech. Keep up the good work.
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We are very happy to recommend this company to everyone. Our furnace broke down on Sunday morning. We phoned them and before noon Grant the owner showed up. He worked on the furnace for about a hour not wanting to give up to fix the problem. The furnace was 17 years old. I was the one talking about replacing it. End result was the next day it was all done. On the Sunday Bob came over with heaters to warm up the house. We decided to replace the water heater at the same time. Thanks Grant for the excellent work. Thumbs up.
Right on time. Explained how to work the HRV in a different way so the house would not be so dry. Changed my whole house water filter for me as well. Friendly, helpful, caring service!
Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.
We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!
TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!
When it comes to keeping your home comfortable year-round, you deserve an HVAC team that’s reliable, experienced, and truly committed to your comfort. At Twintech Heating & Cooling, we’ve built our reputation as the go-to HVAC expe
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