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Heat Pump Myths Ontario Homeowners Should Stop Believing

Heat pumps have surged in popularity across Ontario thanks to their efficiency, cold-climate performance, and ability to replace or supplement traditional heating systems.
But with the rise in interest comes a rise in misinformation.
Many Ontario homeowners still hesitate to make the switch because of outdated assumptions or myths that no longer reflect today’s technology.
Below are the most common heat pump myths—debunked—so you can make informed decisions about your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
Myth #1: Heat Pumps Don’t Work in Ontario Winters
This may have been true for older heat pump models, but modern cold-climate heat pumps are engineered specifically to operate efficiently in freezing temperatures.
Many systems continue delivering dependable heating at temperatures below –25°C.
Thanks to advancements like variable-speed compressors and improved refrigerants, today’s heat pumps maintain strong performance even through harsh Ontario cold snaps.
Myth #2: Heat Pumps Only Provide Air Conditioning
Heat pumps both heat and cool your home.
In summer, they work like an air conditioner; in winter, they extract heat from outdoor air and move it indoors.
Even in frigid weather, there is enough thermal energy outside for a cold-climate heat pump to operate.
That means one system provides year-round comfort.
Myth #3: Heat Pumps Are Too Expensive to Run
Many homeowners assume heat pumps cost more to operate than natural gas systems.
In reality, heat pumps are among the most efficient home heating systems available, and they can significantly reduce electricity consumption compared to electric resistance heating, baseboards, or older furnace/AC setups.
With Ontario’s energy prices and incentives, heat pumps often deliver substantial long-term savings.
Myth #4: Heat Pumps Can’t Heat Large or Older Homes
Heat pump systems come in a wide range of sizes and configurations.
With proper load calculations and professional installation, they can heat:
Older homes
Multi-level houses
Homes with additions
Larger floor plans
Ducted, ductless, and hybrid systems ensure there’s a solution for virtually any home type in the Durham Region and Toronto.
Myth #5: Heat Pumps Are Noisy
Modern heat pumps are remarkably quiet—many operate at noise levels lower than a conversation.
Thanks to variable-speed technology, the outdoor unit often runs at low, steady speeds instead of loud on/off cycles.
If noise is a concern, your HVAC installer can recommend models specifically designed for ultra-quiet performance.
Myth #6: They Don’t Last as Long as Furnaces
Heat pumps have become more durable in recent years, especially cold-climate models built for regions like Ontario.
With proper maintenance, many systems last 15–20 years, similar to furnaces and air conditioners.
Some premium brands also offer extended or top-tier warranties, protecting your investment long-term.
Myth #7: Heat Pumps Require Major Renovations
Heat pump installation is usually straightforward.
Depending on your home, you may need:
A ducted unit that connects to your existing ductwork
Ductless wall-mounted units
A combination of both
In most cases, homeowners don’t need extensive upgrades—just a professional assessment to ensure proper sizing and setup.
Myth #8: Heat Pumps Aren’t Environmentally Friendly
Heat pumps are one of the greenest HVAC options available.
Because they move heat instead of burning fuel, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower your home’s carbon footprint.
Pairing a heat pump with Ontario’s increasingly clean electricity grid makes them even more environmentally beneficial.
Heat Pumps: A Smart Choice for Ontario Homes
Modern heat pumps are efficient, quiet, reliable, and perfectly suited for Ontario’s winter climate.
If you've been unsure about switching to a heat pump because of outdated information, now is the perfect time to explore your options.
Twintech Heating & Cooling proudly installs, services, and maintains heat pumps across the Durham Region and Toronto—helping homeowners stay comfortable while saving energy.
Greg and team were amazing! All interaction via email and text 100% professional. From consult to product recommendation their service was phenomenal!
Installed a Napoleon furnace (ecm dc drive variable 2-stage) and it was a game changer for the whole house. Blended air temperature through and through the entire house and its saving us money by cutting down our utility bill by ALOT!
We purchased a new cooling & heating system from Twintech and the team was fantastic. From sales to installation, the team were great to work with. Friendly (our dog even enjoyed having them over), professional and accommodating. Id recommend Twintech in a heart beat to anyone. Superb customer service.
End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.
In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.
- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.
Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.
When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Gregs initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.
As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.
We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.
These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. Im so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.
Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.
Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.
Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.
After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.
My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.
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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!
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