$49 / month O.A.C Including Install
$49 / month O.A.C Including Install

Heat Pump vs. Furnace: A Winter Breakdown for Ontario Homes

24 / 7 Emergency Service Available. Call Us Now: 1.844.894.6832


[BACK]
Heat Pump vs. Furnace: A Winter Breakdown for Ontario Homes

Posted On: December 8, 2025

Heat Pump vs. Furnace: A Winter Breakdown for Ontario Homes

When winter hits Ontario, reliable heating isn’t optional—it’s essential.


For decades, gas furnaces have been the default choice for cold weather comfort.


But modern cold-climate heat pumps are changing the conversation.


Thanks to major advancements in efficiency and performance, heat pumps now outperform furnaces in many key areas, especially when it comes to energy savings and overall comfort.


Here’s a winter breakdown of heat pumps vs.


furnaces—and why more Ontario homeowners are choosing heat pumps.


Heating Performance in Cold Weather


Winner: Heat Pumps


Today’s cold-climate heat pumps are engineered specifically for freezing temperatures and continue delivering dependable heat well below zero.


Unlike older models, modern systems maintain strong performance throughout most Ontario winters without relying heavily on backup heat.


Furnaces produce intense bursts of heat but cycle on and off frequently, which can lead to uneven indoor temperatures.


What homeowners notice with heat pumps:


More even warmth throughout the home


Fewer cold spots


Comfortable temperatures without extreme hot air blasts Winter Energy Efficiency


Winner: Heat Pumps


Furnaces create heat by burning fuel—this process is inherently less efficient.


Heat pumps simply move heat, allowing them to deliver significantly more heat energy than they consume.


Cold-climate heat pumps can produce two to three times more heat per unit of energy than many traditional heating systems, especially during milder winter days that make up much of Ontario’s heating season.


Monthly Heating Costs


Winner: Heat Pumps


Because they run more efficiently and at consistent speeds, heat pumps help lower winter heating bills.


Homeowners often see savings immediately compared to electric baseboards, older furnaces, or oil systems.


Hybrid heat pump systems maximize cost control by automatically switching to the most economical heat source based on outdoor temperature.


Comfort and Indoor Air Quality


Winner: Heat Pumps


Heat pumps deliver steady, gentle heat rather than sudden temperature spikes.


This reduces dry indoor air—a common complaint with furnace heating.


They also provide:


Continuous air circulation


Improved filtration


Less dust movement


The result is a more comfortable and breathable indoor environment throughout winter.


Maintenance and Reliability


Winner: Tie (Slight Edge to Heat Pumps)


Modern heat pumps are designed to operate continuously with less stress than furnaces that cycle frequently.


With proper maintenance, heat pumps often experience fewer mid-winter breakdowns and consistent performance.


Plus, one system handles both heating and cooling—reducing long-term service needs.


Environmental Impact


Winner: Heat Pumps


Furnaces rely on fossil fuels, producing direct emissions.


Heat pumps run on electricity and produce no on-site emissions, making them one of the most environmentally friendly heating solutions available.


As Ontario’s electrical grid becomes cleaner, heat pumps continue to grow even greener over time.


Long-Term Value


Winner: Heat Pumps


While upfront costs can be comparable, heat pumps typically deliver:


Lower annual energy costs


Fewer emissions


Reduced long-term operating expenses


Year-round heating and cooling in one system


When you factor in energy savings and potential incentives, heat pumps often offer better overall value than furnaces.


The Bottom Line: Heat Pumps Win Modern Ontario Winters


Furnaces still have their place, but cold-climate heat pumps have proven they’re more than capable of handling Ontario winters—often doing so more efficiently, comfortably, and affordably.


For homeowners in the Durham Region and Toronto, Twintech Heating & Cooling helps assess whether a heat pump or hybrid system is right for your home and heating needs.



[BACK]

See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by DG Sellers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Professionally done and took care to cover all entry floors to the house for the installers to remove the old furnace and install a new furnace.
I also made recommendations of the tankless water heater that we had installed and items to address. We did not know they also installed tankless water heaters.

by Bill, Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Price was not the cheapest nor the most expensive of my quotes. It's the quality of the installation that makes for a good AC system. The twins' knowledge & professionalism was evident in the small details:
Very clean work. Greg made sure that the refrigerant level & temperature were correct. They reinstall the insulation & vapor barrier around the wall. The outside electrical cords were secured to the wall. Proud to support this local company. Thank you.

by Taz on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great team of guys came to do the work. Very professional. Arrived on time worked very efficiently and were very clean. They answered any questions we had without hesitation. The air conditioner works great and is so quiet. I highly recommend them and they don't try to up-sell anything right from the start.

by Jordan on Twintech Heating and Cooling

The service was prompt, professional and very courteous. Competitive price. Would highly recommend this company.

by David on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Excellent workmanship, and quick response. Would recommend Twintech to anyone.

by Todd Whyte on Twintech Heating and Cooling

My existing 15-yr old A/C went down on me during the first major heatwave of the season. Researched my options, as well as a few different installers, and decided on Twintech.

They gave me confidence right from the beginning. Extremely knowledgeable. Their communication was excellent - always responded to questions quickly. Given we were in a heatwave, they were fully booked. However, within days they were able to fit me in due to a cancellation. Upon learning that the Amana unit I was getting installed was on backorder, TwinTech went to bat for me with the manufacturer and was able to get me the next model up within a day, for the same price - Amazing!

As far as the installation was concerned, I couldn’t be more impressed. These guys were clearly very experienced and did a fantastic job. Very clean, polite, timely & informative. They even thoroughly sealed all the exposed gaps in my ductwork. I’ve had plenty of heating and cooling work done in the past and have never used the same contractor twice because I’ve never been very impressed. However, from now on, I’ll always be contacting Twintech first!

by Jordan Arnott, Courtice on Twintech Heating and Cooling

They were very friendly and took care of everything. The install looks great (and works great), they were very knowledgeable. Installed our a/c efficiently despite the difficult install location both inside and outside and they made it work.

by Lori Ellis on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Phenomenal service, so glad I found these guys a few years back after being "hosed" badly by 3 other companies. I've recommended them to so many, and they all are so thankful.

by Jonathan Rogoza on Twintech Heating and Cooling

This company is fantastic. Dave came out and gave me a very honest and reasonable quote, unlike a quote received from another company. I had a bunch of questions that were easily answered and when I had questions regarding heating/cooling a previously unheated room above the Garage, Dave arranged for Greg to come out for an assessment of this new space and gave me his recommendation along with his professional thoughts on all of my options.

These guys have been nothing but Professional, honest and helpful along the way. I can't recall the two other guys doing the install, but they were great as well. Good workmanship, everything was cleaned up and everything functions as promised. I could go on and on about my experience, but it's all positive so what more could you want?

Give them a call, see for yourself. If I had to buy another furnace/AC or heat pump, they'd be my first call.

by Private User on Twintech Heating and Cooling

I hired twin tech to convert my townhouse heating from electric to gas and install a furnace and a/c unit. I had talked with many other vendors, and received several quotes, but chose them, and very happy I did. Here are some of the reasons why:
1. They were realistic about the timeline for the work, when they could start and how long it would take. (They said upfront, it was their busy season and would need to get back to me in 3 weeks, which they did):
2. They had a quote with options for me. They were clear about the entertainment of what they would and would not do (they’d build duct work, id need another contractor to box in ductwork). This allowed me to plan as I was my own general contractor for my renovations).
3. They spoke to me in a language I understood, neither too technical nor too simple. They answered all my questions as I had them. Everyone is so lovely to work with, the sales team and the contractors who are worked in my home.
4. It’s been 4 m since the work was complete. They still answer my emails and my furnace is working very well!

I unabashedly recommend! Price, customer care and quality workmanship were all amazing!

Related Links:
oshawa gas furnace problems, ac service call, pickering hvac prices, local ac services, ajax furnace inspection, ac repair services, whitby furnace replacement, furnace repairs pickering, oshawa hvac furnaces, central ac service, ac unit maintenance, pickering gas furnace problems, ac installation near me, ajax hvac repair, hvac repairs, ac contractors, ac repair and service, whitby furnaces, residential furnace, residential ac repair, pickering hvac furnace, pickering furnace service, pickering furnaces, oshawa furnace inspection, oshawa furnaces, nearby ac repair,


See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Aaron on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Linda on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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!

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

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!

PSC vs. ECM Motors: Know Their Differences

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - October 19, 2016

The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry uses a variety of motor technologies in its equipment. Historically, the two predominant motor types have been permanent split capacitor (PSC) single speed motors and electronically commut

Read More

Everything Great About a Panasonic Heat Pump

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - September 18, 2023

Panasonic heat pumps offer several features and benefits that contribute to their popularity and effectiveness in providing heating and cooling solutions. Here are some aspects that make Panasonic heat pumps great: Energy Efficiency: Panason

Read More

Expert Heat Pump Installation in Pickering

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - April 14, 2025

Expert Heat Pump Installation in Pickering - Twintech Heating & Cooling If you're looking for reliable and energy-efficient heat pump installation in Pickering, look no further than Twintech Heating & Cooling. As a trusted name

Read More

Why you Should Opt for Custom Ductwork

  • SUBMITTED BY:
  • TWINTECH HEATING & COOLING
  • - July 27, 2022

If you are like most homeowners, there is a huge chance you’ve overlooked your HVAC system. Your HVAC system is crucial in maintaining the comfort level inside your home. Whether it is the cold months or the long summer nights, you cannot afford to

Read More