For anyone looking to lower their heating bills, especially in Canada where the temperatures fluctuate not only with the seasons, but within the seasons themselves, thinking actively about your heating system makes a lot of sense. When winter alone can switch from warm to -40 degrees in a few days, having a hybrid heating system set in your home can offset the price fluctuations that can come with those changes so often.
Hybrid heating systems are becoming more popular within Canada for their benefits such as lower bills and a better heat/cooling system that makes homes more likely to have comfortable temperatures year-round, no matter the season and the weather outside. Our guide below will cover how hybrid heating works and if it’s suitable for your home set-up.
What is a hybrid heat pump?
A hybrid heat pump is essentially a heat pump system that works in conjunction with a heating system, such as a furnace or boiler.
Heat pumps themselves are very effective, but can work even better in a hybrid configuration, especially in areas where the temperature outside fluctuations often during the year. A mild, steady climate works best for heat pumps alone, and a hybrid system is great for inconsistent outside weather – such as most of Canada at any point during the year, since it tends to be an inconsistent temperament across the country regardless of which province you live in.
How does a hybrid heating system work?
Hybrid heating systems are becoming more popular, and they work very well along with other systems, especially across Canada. Hybrid heating systems work by combining heat pump systems with another source of heat or air, such as furnaces or boilers. They work together to save you money and raise the efficiency of your systems.
It’s based on the external temperature and how your heat pump system works with your home. It adapts to the ever-changing outdoor temperatures to maximize energy efficiency. It combines two distinct energy sources to ensure that your home stays a cozy temperature all year round, regardless of whether it’s -40C or 35C.
One of the best parts of hybrid heating systems is that they are right at home whether you’re a homeowner living rurally, in the city, in a house or a multi-unit condo, etc. there are ways to have a hybrid heating system set up for you and able to have the benefits of the system running while continuing to enjoy whatever heating system your home initially came with and not worry too much about your house or condo needing to be completely rearranged to accommodate the system set-up itself.
What are the types of heating systems in Canada?
The types of heating systems in Canada depend on where you are living, but the majority of the types are:
- Heat Pumps
- Radiant Floor Heating
- Electric Furnace
- Furnace
- Convection Heaters
- Central Heating
- Boiler
- Baseboard Electric
- Wood (Wood burning stoves/furnaces)
- Oil/Gas
The type of heating you currently have can affect how a hybrid heating system works within your home. You can even have a wood stove with a heat pump if you have an installer that will work with your setup and plan of action to make it work effectively and correctly. Considering that there are varying types of heating across Canada, finding a proper fitter that can make your hybrid heating combination work best is important.
Is hybrid heating better for the environment?
Hybrid heating can cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30% depending on the system setup and how well it is executed and maintained. Using a hybrid heating system is overall much better for the environment and with enough in place, the percentages and performance will continue rising.
Hybrid heating systems and other forms of changing how we heat (and cool) our homes can make a much larger difference than it seems, especially if it becomes more mainstream and easier to get set up as time goes on. With summer heat and winters becoming colder, having a hybrid heating system can not only help your wallet and bills but can also make a dent in being better for the environment as we aren’t running the systems 24/7 in ways that are already bad for the environment as a whole.
Is hybrid heating more cost-effective?
Hybrid heating in the long run is more cost-effective than not, especially in an area where the temperature and weather fluctuate and change considerably often, much like how the weather can change multiple times within a day or weeks.
Rebate programs for hybrid heat pumps across Canada
Across the country, there are rebates and programs that will reward homeowners or help offset the costs of switching to a hybrid heating system. Below are the ones currently available as of writing this article in 2024. The links below will give you a better idea of what’s available in your province and for your system.
British Columbia
Heat pump rebates (bchydro.com)
B.C. Hydro has several hybrid heat pump rebates available, starting from $1,000 and upwards to $6,000 depending on what is currently heating your home if you are eligible.
Heat pump rebate options
| UPGRADE | REBATE AVAILABLE |
| Ductless mini-split heat pump HSPF (Region IV) ≥10, SEER ≥16 or, HSPF2 (Region IV) ≥ 8.5, SEER2 ≥ 15.2 Serves one zone | $1,000 |
| Ductless multi-split heat pump HSPF (Region IV) ≥10, SEER ≥16 or, HSPF2 (Region IV) ≥ 8.5, SEER2 ≥ 15.2 Serves multiple zones | $1,000 |
| Central ducted heat pump HSPF (Region IV) ≥10, SEER ≥16 or, HSPF2 (Region IV) ≥ 8.5, SEER2 ≥ 15.2 Serves multiple zones | $2,000 |
Currently heated by natural gas, oil or propane?
You could be eligible for up to $6,000 in combined heat pump rebates for switching to an electric heat pump. Rebates are available while funding lasts.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan has several rebates available for retrofitting and upgrading your home into a hybrid heating set-up. Since there are many options available, it’s best to look for yourself on what rebate you can apply for or be eligible for: Rebates & Programs | SaskEnergy
Manitoba
Manitoba Hydro has a home efficiency loan if you are eligible, that will grant benefits for upgrading your home to be more efficient, including hybrid heating systems: Home Energy Efficiency Loan (hydro.mb.ca)
Ontario
Supported by the Government of Ontario, this program offers homeowners in select areas up to $4,500 towards installing a hybrid heating system. Initially having launched in Sault Ste. Marie, St. Catherines, Peterborough, and London, it has since expanded to include Ajax, barrie, Pickering, and Whitby. More locations are to come in the future.
Oil to Heat Pump Affordability program (canada.ca)
The OHPA Program is intended to help low-to-median income households transition to a hybrid heating system, offering federal grants up to $15,000 to eligible households, with additional supplementary provincial grants and a one time bonus payment of $250.
Quebec
Hydro Quebec has a grant available, offering a financial incentive to purchase an eligible hydro heat pump. The amount of the rebate is up to $50 or $120 per thousand BTU of heating varies. More details are available on Hydro Quebec’s page as they are far more detailed and specific about installation, and etc.
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador will help cover the costs of heat pumps with the Electric Incentive Program that was announced in February, 2024. It does need to be applied to, and currently 2,065 Newfoundland and Labradorians have applied to switch to hybrid heating
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Heat Pump Rebate | Home Heating & Cooling (efficiencyns.ca)
Efficiency Nove Scotia has rebates available to help switch your home over to hybrid systems to offset the cost of new heat pumps and installing the systems right.
PEI
Energy Efficient Equipment Rebates | Government of Prince Edward Island
The government of PEI has rebates available if you are eligible, to offset heat pump installations and the eligible contractors that can get everything set up for you if you are living anywhere across PEI.
Territories
Home Improvements – Arctic Energy Alliance (aea.nt.ca)
The Arctic Energy Alliance provides rebates to help owners of older, less energy-efficient homes in the Northwest Territories to offset costs of upgrading not only hybrid heat systems, but also insulation, windows, air sealing, and heating systems.
